Should the sale of vodka in small bottles be banned? A survey has examined the opinions of Poles on strong alcohol in small bottles.
Nearly half of Poles believe that taxes and fees on “mini bottles” (small bottles of alcohol) should be raised, and the excise tax on vodka should remain higher than that on beer. According to 57% of respondents, vodka in small bottles is too easily accessible, and 45% agree with the proposal to ban the sale of “mini bottles.” Research by SW Research shows that Poles recognize a social and health problem related to the availability of vodka in packages up to 300 ml.
The retail price of alcohol depends on various factors, including production and distribution costs and taxes such as VAT and excise duty. In Poland, the excise tax rates for beer and vodka align with the EU directive setting minimum excise rates for alcoholic beverages. Additionally, since 2021, alcohol in small packages up to 300 ml has been subject to an additional fee, commonly referred to as the “mini bottle tax.” Despite this, nearly half of Poles believe that taxes and fees on vodka in small packages (90, 100, and 200 ml) should be even higher, commonly known as “mini bottles.” This conclusion comes from December research by SW Research. Similar findings were reported by a previous IBRiS survey in July 2024, commissioned by Radio ZET, in which more than half of respondents supported raising prices for alcohol in the smallest bottles.
“The excise tax is a state instrument aimed at influencing the pricing structure of alcoholic beverages. According to the Act on Alcohol Education and the Prevention of Alcoholism, the goal is to reduce consumption and shift consumption patterns toward beverages with a lower alcohol content. That is why the excise tax on vodka is higher than on beer. This is in line with the EU directive and is applied across Europe,” emphasizes Bartłomiej Morzycki from the Polish Brewers Employers’ Association.
“Mini Bottles” Are Too Easily Accessible
Over half of the respondents (57.1%) in the December SW Research survey agreed that “mini bottles” of vodka are too easily accessible, while only 4% said they are not accessible enough. Only 10% of those surveyed considered the prices of “mini bottles” to be very high. Forty-five percent support a complete ban on the sale of “mini bottles” of vodka, and 46% favor increasing taxes and fees on alcohol in small packages. On the other hand, 28% of participants disagreed with these proposals.
“As shown in the December SW Research survey, Poles recognize that consuming ‘mini bottles’ of vodka carries the risk of addiction, encourages regular drinking, and poses a social and health problem,” comments Morzycki. “In many sponsored publications, the view is presented that beer is the biggest problem and should be subject to additional financial burdens. However, we decided to investigate what Poles consider to be the real issue. We examined what Poles think about the prices and accessibility of strong alcohol in small packages, which constitute an important part of the market. Both the observations and proposals presented in the surveys clearly indicate that ‘mini bottles’ promote quick, compulsive vodka consumption and require further regulatory actions.”
The Popularity of “Mini Bottles” – Who and Where Consumes Alcohol in Small Packages
SW Research findings show that “mini bottles” are most commonly consumed near shops, and least often at home. Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported seeing people consuming alcohol this way near a shop, while 25% mentioned doing so before or during work. A surprising 39% believe that “mini bottles” are a product for teenagers who want to try strong alcohol. Meanwhile, 61% consider them to be a product for people with alcohol problems. The majority of Poles (74%) are convinced that consuming “mini bottles” of vodka poses a risk of addiction and encourages regular drinking (70%).
Research Methodology
The survey was conducted on December 10-11, 2024, by the research firm SW Research through online interviews (CAWI) on the SW Panel internet panel. A total of 805 surveys were conducted with a representative sample of Polish men and women aged 18-65. The survey was commissioned by the Polish Brewers Employers’ Association.
The cited survey by the Market and Social Research Institute (IBRiS) on behalf of Radio ZET was conducted on July 26-27, 2024, using the CATI method on a national sample of 1,067 people.
