Lawmakers in the lower house of Poland's parliament voted 400-9, with four abstentions, to approve the legislation on Thursday.
The bill, which must still be endorsed by the upper house and signed into law by the president, would introduce a nationwide ban on alcohol sales between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., with restaurants and other food-service establishments exempt from the restriction.
It would also allow municipalities to introduce their own bans on the sale of alcohol for consumption away from the point of sale between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. or between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
The measure would impose a total ban on advertising and promotion of all alcoholic beverages, including beer. Violations would be punishable by a fine of between PLN 30,000 and PLN 1 million (EUR 230,000, USD 260,000) or a prison term.
Under the legislation, alcohol retailers would be required to check a customer's age if there is any doubt that the person is 18 or older.
At the moment, retailers are allowed, but not required, to check a customer's age in such cases. If a customer fails to show an identity document, the retailer would be required to refuse the sale.
The bill would also double the fees for permits to sell alcohol, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The legislation is due to take effect in January.
(gs)
Source: IAR/PAP