Influencer fights for beer advertising ban! Her petition has reached the Sejm

Banning alcohol advertising. Olga Legosz’s petition

On 20 February, Olga Legosz announced on Instagram that she had submitted a petition on banning alcohol advertising to the Ministry of Health and the Petitions Committee in the Sejm. In the document, she draws attention to a shocking phenomenon – beer is no longer seen as alcohol. In shops, it is placed in the food sections and the advertisements make it seem completely harmless. “In the opinion of many consumers, but also of retailers, beer has ceased to be alcohol. We have reached an absurdity where food discounters, while issuing sales magazines separately dedicated to alcohol and food products, place beer in the food section!!! Although the figures show that Poles spend the most money precisely on beer, this can still be widely advertised. As we all know, we have a national problem with the level of alcohol consumed, but by taking action piecemeal, only against a part of products containing alcohol, what we get is apparent effectiveness,” reads her petition.

Outrage over beer advertising funding for sport

However, that is not all. Legosz does not hide her astonishment at the fact that beer advertisements sponsor the Sports Activities Fund for children and young people. “It is also astonishing that a percentage of the money spent on beer advertisements constitutes the Sports Activities Fund, something that the beer industry prides itself on. And this fact is downright outrageous, that the amount of activities for children, the Ministry of Sport should depend on the amount of money spent on beer advertising!!!” – appeals the activist. The problem of excessive alcohol consumption in Poland was addressed in the latest OECD report, published on 4 February 2025. In 2021, a statistical Pole drank an average of 11 litres of pure alcohol, placing the country at the top of the list. Beer and stronger liquors are the most popular choices. Among the organisation’s recommendations is a complete ban on alcohol advertising and the withdrawal of sponsorship of sports events by the alcohol industry. Experts stress that such measures can reduce consumption, especially among young people.

A public challenge to politicians

After obtaining thousands of signatures, Olga Legosz addressed politicians, calling on them to act immediately. On her Instagram, she thanked everyone who supported the petition and then openly appealed to government representatives: ‘Szymon Holownia now your move. Alcohol causes a huge social cost and through its effects the efficiency of the police as well as health care is much lower and we all pay for it. That is why excise duty should be high and dependent on the gram of alcohol contained in a product. Any product with alcohol. Izabela Leszczyna’s petition goes primarily to you. The Ministry of Health, especially given the costs of alcohol treatment, cannot afford to advertise alcohol. None. Encouraging drinking also means longer queues for treatment for all of us.”

Beer advertisements. Will it be possible to change the law?

The topic of alcohol advertising in Poland returns like a boomerang. In January, senators debated proposal 2023, which envisages greater control over advertising and the possibility for local governments to introduce restrictions on alcohol sales. The discussion about the harmfulness of alcohol advertising is gaining momentum, especially after a survey conducted by IBRIS at the end of 2024. The results are unequivocal – almost half of Poles believe that beer advertisements give the impression that it is a product that is harmless to health. What’s more, as many as 51% of those surveyed are in favour of a total ban on alcohol advertising, regardless of its type. Will Olga Legosz’s actions prove to be a breakthrough? Will Polish politicians take up the issue and revolutionise the approach to alcohol advertising?