Czech Republic Considers Stricter Alcohol Policies to Curb Drinking

Experts are preparing a proposal to reduce alcohol consumption in the Czech Republic, which would restrict sales and advertising.

National drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil plans to present the proposal in early autumn.

“We could come up with concrete proposals in early autumn. We need to put them into the form of a substantive bill. It remains to be seen how long it will take and whether something can be done in this chamber before the elections,” Vobořil said.

The restrictions might include limiting sales and broadcasting advertisements only after 10 p.m. Labels on alcoholic beverages may also carry warnings about their harmful effects. Vobořil mentioned that excise duties and prices could also be adjusted.

“These will be rather partial changes. Let’s be realistic. What is not prepared in an advanced form has no hope,” said ODS MP Renata Zajíčková.

She described the topic of limiting alcohol availability as “explosive” and considered it a success that the debate on alcohol’s harmfulness has been initiated.

The Czech Republic has one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the world. Up to 1.3 million people over 15 years of age drink in a risky and harmful manner, and each inhabitant drank an average of 169.5 liters of alcoholic beverages in 2022.

Alcohol-related deaths can account for up to seven thousand lives annually, or six percent of all deaths.

Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more