Rising Taxes Amid Growing Concerns
The Polish parliament has advanced a major update to taxation of alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages. Lawmakers approved these measures topromote people’s health and improve alcohol prevention. The finance ministry, for instance, stated on Notes From Poland that the increases aim to counteract the harmful effects of alcohol on people and society in Poland. This aligns with findings from global research, which shows a quadruple win from raising alcohol taxes, including prevention and reduction of harm caused by alcohol products. Alcohol taxation is the single most cost-effective alcohol policy best buy and the World Health Organization has even declared it one of the most impactful Quick Buys.
Higher Alcohol Taxes Agreed in Parliament
The Sejm supported the finance ministry’s plan to increase excise duty on alcoholic products.
Notes From Poland reported that lawmakers approved a 15% rise in 2026 and ten percent in 2027. The previous law allowed only 5% increases each year.
For example, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna confirmed that these changes would add 0.16 zloty to a typical beer and 3 zloty to a bottle of vodka. The finance ministry expects revenue to rise by 1.96 billion zloty next year. This shows that a minor price increase of each alcohol product adds up to a significant in government revenue in total. In addition, falling alcohol consumption, harm, and costs are important benefits of the law reform.
Research has documented similar policy impacts in Poland before. For instance, a study reported that previous alcohol tax increases in Poland contributed to falling alcohol sales by 4.1%.
This supports the government’s argument that taxation helps prevent and reduce harm from alcoholic products.
Sugary and Artificially Sweetened Beverages Face Higher Charges
The Sejm also approved increases to the surcharge on sugary and artificially sweetened beverages, introduced in 2021. Notes From Poland reported that the fixed fee for beverages with up to five grams of sugar per one hundred millilitres or containing artificial sweetener will rise 40% percent, from 0.5 zloty to 0.7 zloty. The variable fee for sugar above five grams per one hundred millilitres will double from 0.05 to 0.1 zloty. The maximum fee per litre will rise from 1.2 to 1.8 zloty.
Energy drinks will also see tax increases. RMF reported that the fixed fee for products with caffeine or taurine will rise tenfold, from 0.1 zloty to 1 zloty. Polskie Radio estimated that a two-litre Coca-Cola will cost twelve percent more, rising from 9.49 zloty to 10.60 zloty.
The finance ministry stated on Notes From Poland that the higher taxes aim to influence consumer behaviour and address rising obesity. This approach matches evidence-based findings, including that health taxes on harmful products such as alcohol and sugary drinks deliver major public health benefits.
Political Pushback and Likely Veto
Although the ruling coalition supported both bills, Notes From Poland reported that right-wing opposition parties PiS and Confederation voted against the increases. President Karol Nawrocki, who is aligned with PiS, is likely to veto the measures. His chief of staff told Radio Zet, as reported by Notes From Poland, that the President will not approve higher taxes on alcoholic products or sweetened beverages.
This potential veto puts Poland’s alcohol prevention tax reform at risk. Global evidence, including WHO’s pro-health taxation initiative, shows that countries benefit when governments use comprehensive alcohol taxation. Better taxation reduces harm caused by alcoholic products, improves health promotion, advances social justice, and boosts goverment budgets.
Wider Debate Over Health Funding and Revenue Use
Notes From Poland highlighted concerns from the Supreme Audit Office. The office found that between 2021 and 2023, sugar tax revenues of 5.2 billion zloty went to general health service funding rather than directly supporting obesity and alcohol-related health programmes. Business lobby group Lewiatan argued that past surcharges were used mainly to generate revenue.
Tax advisor Łukasz Mazur told Onet, as summarised by Notes From Poland, that the current system does not reflect the original idea of taxing unhealthy ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup. Instead, he noted that the government uses it primarily to raise revenue during a budget crunch.
Poland’s rising public debt and EU excessive deficit procedure add pressure to secure additional funding. Notes From Poland reported that the government also moved to increase corporate income tax for banks. The President may accept that proposal but opposes increases that affect ordinary people and small businesses.
Despite political disagreement, the parliamentary approval shows recognition that alcohol policy reform and health promotion require modern, evidence-based taxation. Research demonstrates that fair pro-health taxes prevent harm, reduce costs, elevate community well-being, and support long-term public investment. The final outcome now depends on whether President Nawrocki chooses health promotion and potential investment in health services for people or prioritises blocking new revenue measures to benefit the private profit interests of the alcohol industry.