No alcohol at night – Polish experiences

Drinking alcohol generates a number of problems, including those related to public safety. That is why in many countries, including Poland, actions are taken to reduce problems related to drinking alcohol in public places. One of the proposed solutions is a ban on selling alcohol at night. In Poland, this solution was introduced in 2018, giving municipal governments responsible for local alcohol policy the option of limiting the sale of alcoholic beverages in stores between 10pm and 6pm.
The data from the survey „Activities of local governments in the field of prevention and resolution of alcohol-related problems in 2018” showed that 162 municipalities (6.6% of municipalities that submitted the completed survey), decided to introduce this restriction during the first year of the new powers.  A review of documents from provincial offices publishing municipal resolutions showed that between 2018 and 2023, only 178 municipalities introduced restrictions on the night sale of alcoholic beverages. The questions we want to answer are, firstly, what factors influenced the decision to ban the sale of alcohol at night. Secondly, what local authorities see as benefits and problems arising from the implementation of the restriction.
To answer these questions, a statistical and qualitative analysis of data from 3 sources will be carried out – (1) the above-mentioned local government survey, (2) an open questionnaire sent to 10% of municipalities in which this resolution was adopted (both to decision-makers and the police) and (3) a survey addressed in 2024 to all local authorities.