Around 9 thousand residents of the capital have expressed their opinion on the ban on the sale of alcohol at night in the city. Over 80 percent want such a restriction. The mayor of Warsaw is skeptical, but the decision will be made by the councilors. First, however, a draft resolution must be created. Material from the magazine “Polska i Świat” TVN24.
For almost two months, Warsaw officials have been asking whether to limit alcohol sales in the capital. During city consultations the majority of Warsaw residents, over 80 percent to be exact, stated that they do not want alcohol to be available everywhere and at any time.
– I am skeptical about this solution. It is the council's decision, not mine – admits the mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski.
Councillors are waiting for specifics
There was an online survey and meetings in the districts. Around 9 thousand people took part in the consultations. – The results of the survey conducted by the Warsaw City Hall clearly show what the expectations of our residents are – says Sławomir Potapowicz, deputy chairman of the Warsaw Council (KO).
– Public consultations, at least in Warsaw, are unrepresentative and relatively few people took part in them, taking into account the population of Warsaw – counters Dariusz Figura, Warsaw councilor, chairman of the PiS club.
– I supported the restriction of retail sales of alcohol in Warsaw, not only in the city centre – comments Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, councillor from the Left Club Miasto Jest Nasze.
The councillors are waiting for specifics, and this will take some time. Rafał Trzaskowski wants more consultations, this time with cities around the capital. – Some of these communes have no restrictions at all, some have restrictions at other times. It cannot be that the problem moves from Warsaw to its outskirts – explains Trzaskowski.
Paweł Pniewski, deputy mayor of Marek, a city surrounded by towns, not counting the capital, where alcohol cannot be bought at night, is already waiting for Warsaw to make a move. – If Warsaw introduces such a ban, we will also, I think that we will even conduct social consultations and analyses in neighbouring municipalities beforehand, so that we are prepared to introduce such a ban – says Pniewski.
Examples from other cities
So far, about every tenth commune has banned the sale of alcoholic beverages, including Zakopane. Here, the ban is in effect seven hours a day, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Alcohol is available at night, but only in bars and restaurants. – In my opinion, these are only advantages. A customer who drinks alcohol is under some kind of control. It does not happen outdoors, and the number of interventions will be reduced. Of course, local entrepreneurs can take advantage of these provisions and also simply make money – says Łukasz Filipowicz, the mayor of Zakopane.
The capital of Lower Silesia banned the sale of alcohol at night in the city centre over six years ago, and has been banned in eight other housing estates since February. – There are fewer interventions near places where alcoholic beverages are sold, and there are fewer people under the influence of alcohol in the city space – says Joanna Bisiecka-Szymczak from the city office in Wrocław.
Warsaw, waiting for new regulations, is already running an anti-alcohol campaign. It warns against selling alcohol to drunks and minors. It has evidence that the problem is huge.
– About half of Warsaw's residents observe this, they witness situations where alcohol is sold to a person who is underage or appears to be underage – says Monika Beuth, spokeswoman for the capital city hall.
Main image source: TVN24