How do Poles drink during the vacations?

As many as 44.77% of the respondents said they had consumed alcohol before reaching the age of majority, and as many as 6.85% when they were younger than 14. At the same time, as many as 40.29% of respondents aged 18-29 had no problem obtaining alcohol despite being underage.

The OGB's survey indicates that 64.22% of respondents consumed alcohol at least once during the passing of the 2025 vacations, including 17.20% once a week and 6.32% several times a week. Among young people aged 18-29, only 21.80% of respondents did not reach for alcohol at all during the vacation. The alcohol, in the main, for as many as 49.46% of respondents, was beer.

The survey also examined Poles' attitudes toward alcohol - as many as 90.52% believe that its consumption at a young age is harmful to health and development, and 69.73% of respondents expect politicians to take active measures to counter the alcoholization of children and young people.

A majority, 64.19%, of Poles believe that there should be a complete ban on public advertising of alcohol, including beer and so-called 0% drinks. When we last conducted the survey (April 2025), 62.6% of Poles supported this demand, which shows an increase over the last 4 months. The same group (64.92%) believes that beer advertisements (e.g., on TV or in public spaces) encourage young people to reach for alcohol.

The survey was conducted by the Nationwide Research Group on a representative sample of 1001 people from September 1-12, 2025. The survey was conducted by telephone, standardized computer-assisted questionnaire interviews (CATI). Random-quota sampling was used, and the structure of the sample is the same as that of adult residents, their place of residence, gender and age (data according to the Central Statistical Office). The confidence level is 95 percent, while the maximum statistical error reaches 4.3 percent. The survey was implemented on the basis of respondents' self-declarations.

GrowSpace is not stopping at further action - "Yesterday we met with Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Health Ms. Katarzyna Kęcka, and on October 8 we will participate in a meeting of the parliamentary health committee, where we will discuss among experts and politicians how to develop effective and long-term solutions."

"The campaign we are running and the second survey prepared by the Nationwide Research Group show that Poles are drinking heavily, choosing beer as their main alcoholic beverage. We are massively attacked by advertising in every form - from television, public space, event sponsorships or such promotions as "12+12". Relaxed and relaxed people consuming alcohol or happy families surrounded by beer is an An unhealthy image of society. These are advertisements that promote addiction, the consumption of beverages, the negative effects of which up to a million Polish women and men are struggling with today. Therefore, we are continuing our activities within the framework of the Zero Percent Truth Campaign, which aims to prevent early alcohol initiation of children and young people and to bring about a complete ban on public advertising of alcohol, including beer and so-called "zero percent" beverages."- Jan Pieniążek, Coordinator of the "Zero Percent Truth" Campaign, said.

Ban on alcohol advertising

"Implementing a complete ban on alcohol advertising, including beer and "zero" beverages promoted under the beer brand, is a key step toward protecting mental health in society. From a psychological point of view, alcohol advertising not only promotes consumption, but also normalizes the presence of the psychoactive substance in everyday life, making it an element of culture, relaxation or reward. Research on learning mechanisms shows that repetitive advertising messages create emotional associations and reinforce positive attitudes toward alcohol, which in the long run increases the risk of alcohol use, especially among young people.

From a mental health prevention perspective, limiting alcohol advertising is an important preventive measure. It protects against early alcohol initiation, reduces the risk of addiction and emotional problems associated with substance abuse. It also sends a cultural signal that as a society we choose to promote healthy role models and real concern for the mental well-being of the younger generation." - admits Krystyna Piatkowska, psychoeducator of the GrowSPACE Foundation and expert of the Zero Percent Truth Campaign.

"The vast majority of us, including myself, my peers and my contemporaries began alcohol initiation too early, when we were still underage children. Buying alcohol has never been a problem, despite our age, and the peer and social pressure associated with initiation was and is so great that we will do almost anything to get it. Every weekend a large proportion of young people associate beer, vodka, partying and a hangover the next day. However, it is beer that is most widely available, cheap, and treated in society as a harmless drink that is part of any good gathering. Why? Because the ads create this image, in which happy people, happy families and pleasant events are surrounded by beer. These ads are also massively targeted at us youngsters. I don't have to remind anyone my age of the songs about the combination of beer and iced tea and the subsequent product that identifies this. Often when I refuse alcohol at events I am met with a number of negative comments as to why and what is the reason. This is the image created by advertising, in which not consuming alcohol is negative. The result, on the other hand, is alcohol-related diseases," - says Maja Lewandowska, the face of the "Zero Percent Truth" Campaign.

"Our activities are not just surveys, comments about the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption or beer advertising. We are after meetings with the Ombudsman for Children, Deputy Minister Aleksandra Gajewska or yesterday's meeting at the Ministry of Health. What's ahead of us? Among others, a meeting at the Ministry of Education with Undersecretary of State - Paulina Piechna-Więckiewicz. But first and foremost - on October 8 there will be a parliamentary committee in the Health Committee devoted to alcohol advertising, including beer in particular, during which we will debate specific solutions among politicians and experts. We plan similar activities in the following weeks in the Polish Senate. The goal? A public ban on beer advertising, including the so-called 'zero' beverages, and counteracting the early alcohol initiation of children and young people." - said Dominik Kuc, Board Member of the GrowSPACE Foundation.

Source: GrowSPACE