Warsaw’s city council voted almost unanimously to ban night-time alcohol sales in the capital of Poland, which ranks among the European Union member states with the highest drinking-related mortality rates.
It is the latest in a series of bans in Polish cities that have proved popular with the public and have been followed by a fall in arrests for alcohol-related offences. The new ban follows pilot programs in two Warsaw districts—including the city centre—where alcohol in shops and gas stations were banned from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.
According to Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski,
We are responding to a real problem, namely noise, public disturbances, interventions by services, and sleepless nights for residents.
Many of the country’s largest cities, including tourist hotspot Kraków, Wrocław, Szczecin, and Łódź, have implemented such measures. Kraków in particular noted a marked reduction in night-time disturbances after implementing night-time bans.
Provided the Warsaw ban is not challenged by the regional government, it will come into force on June 1st. Businesses that refuse to comply with the new regulations risk fines or the loss of their liquor licences.
Night-time alcohol sales will still be permitted in restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and duty-free shops at the Warsaw Chopin Airport.
