Olga Legosz is fighting for a ban on beer advertising. Actors and celebrities will no longer advertise alcohol?

Nearly 50,000 petition signatures. Olga Legosz does not let go

In February this year.Olga Legosz submitted a petition to the Sejm to ban beer advertising. The document was sent to the Ministry of Health and the Committee on Petitions. Almost 48 000 people signed the appeal. The public response was huge – and no wonder. Beer advertising has become ubiquitous, while at the same time effectively circumventing the restrictions on other alcohols. Despite strong public support, the Sejm still did not take up the matter.

Sharp exchange with Holownia – a dispute over real action

Although Olga Legosz’s campaign is gaining support on social media, it is not without tension. The influencer publicly clashed with Szymon Holownia, expressing her dissatisfaction with the lack of legislative action on beer sales in Poland. In response, the Speaker of the Sejm declared that the topic “needs to be analysed”. For Legosz and thousands of her supporters, however, this is not enough – they expect specifics.

See also: Strong appeal to politicians! Olga Legosz did not bite her tongue at the Viva plebiscite

Stop alcohol advertising in urban spaces

Despite current regulations, beer advertising still reigns supreme on billboards, citylights, shop windows and food gardens. The #BeerThisAlcohol campaign points out that such activities violate the spirit of the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety. Beer, as an alcoholic beverage, should be subject to the same restrictions as stronger drinks – especially in public places, where the message also reaches minors.

and it could be so nice pic.twitter.com/Y9YWG05E1p

– Nomadmum (@nomadmum81) July 9, 2025

A city without beer adverts – is it possible? Legosz shows that yes

On the campaign website you can see visualisations of alcohol-free urban spaces. The contrast is striking – where colours and slogans previously shouted, an aesthetically pleasing, calm space appears. This is a realistic vision – Legosz argues that alcohol advertising can be eliminated, as has already been done in Norway, France or Lithuania.

Beer is also alcohol – and it is not ‘innocent’

The activist points out that beer is also alcohol and opposes the trivialisation of the golden beverage as “weak alcohol”. According to PARPA data, as much as 60% of alcohol consumed in Poland is beer. Young people reach for it more often than for any other alcoholic beverage. Advertisements create positive associations – fun, friendship, relaxation – ignoring real health and social risks.

Landscape resolution bogged down. Who is blocking order in the city?

Since 2017, Warsaw has been working on a so-called landscape resolution that would bring order to the advertising chaos. Despite the passage of years and public support, the resolution has still not been adopted. Limiting alcohol advertising could be the first step towards a more orderly, friendly public space.

Frequently asked questions

Beer is also alcohol – what does the law say?

Although alcohol advertising is banned in Poland, beer remains an exception. Producers are keen to exploit this, dressing up the product in stories about freedom, sport and lifestyle. However, beer contains ethyl alcohol – an addictive and harmful substance. An average Pole drinks over 6 litres of pure alcohol a year just in the form of beer.

Alcoholic beer and non-alcoholic beer – differences and similarities

Advertisements for non-alcoholic beer often appear in public spaces and on ‘health food’ shelves. However, according to experts, this is a form of promotion of the entire beer brand – including alcoholic beer. In young people, it shapes positive associations and lowers the threshold for reaching for stronger versions. It starts with ‘zero’ and ends – with a problem.

Advertising beer on the internet and in urban space – what is allowed and what is not?

In Poland, it is not allowed to advertise strong alcohols – with the exception of beer. In practice, this means that beer can be promoted almost without restriction: on the internet, on television, on billboards and even in public places. This is a loophole that the beer industry has been exploiting for years. The Legosz campaign is calling for this loophole to be closed.

Can you buy 0% beer without being 18 years old?

Under Polish law, the sale of non-alcoholic beer to minors is not formally prohibited. This is another loophole that allows young people to become accustomed to the brand and the drinking ritual. Experts warn: alcohol initiation as early as the age of 10-12 increases the risk of addiction in adulthood.

Celebrities in alcohol adverts – is this responsible?

Familiar faces often appear in beer adverts, despite the fact that their message also reaches a young audience. Beer has been promoted by, among others, popular actors and actresses: Adam Woronowicz, Anna Dereszowska, Tamara Arciuch, Marcin Dorociński, Bogusław Linda or Jakub Gierszał. According to Olga Legosz, this is an unethical act – celebrities have an impact on shaping attitudes and should be more aware of the consequences of their advertising decisions. Maciej Musiał and Maffashion, on the other hand, advertised beer products on Instagram, which did not escape public attention. The celebrities were accused of advertising alcoholic beverages in violation of the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism.