From liqueurs, through fruit tinctures, to pure vodka. Internet users report that alcohol in sachets can now be found in many Polish stores. The outrage is caused by the fact that the product closely resembles fruit mousses for children. “Wrapping alcohol in packaging that resembles healthy products is highly manipulative,” emphasizes psychiatrist Julia Pankiewicz, calling on the Ministry of Health and Minister Izabela Leszczyna to respond.
It’s not fruit puree, it’s vodka
Like a boomerang, the topic of vodka in sachets returns. It is not so dusty because it caused the first wave of public outrage less than a month ago. At that time, one of the alcohol producers announced the introduction of vodka, liqueur or whiskey packed in colorful, eye-catching tubes resembling fruit mousses for children. These products are sold under the name “Monkey”, which directly refers to the so-called monkeys, alcohol previously sold in small glass bottles with a capacity of 100-200 ml. According to the website praw.pl, liqueurs (15% alcohol), tinctures (28%) and pure vodka (40%) in tubes will also be available in these two capacities. The manufacturer advertises them as “compact”, “easy to hide even in a pocket”. The sachets are intended to be a “modern and convenient way of drinking alcohol.”
“We are pioneers who have changed the way you experience alcohol by offering it in boldly designed tubes. (…) We play with conventions and are not afraid to experiment” – you can read on the website of the producer of alcohol in tubes.
A parliamentary interpellation suggesting that vodka sachets may be confused with popular fruit mousses, which poses a risk of accidental consumption of alcohol by minors, did not help either. Nor is the Ministry of Health’s opposition to the sale of alcohol in this form. Nor informing the manufacturer about possible financial penalties resulting from the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety for introducing this type of alcohol for sale.
Vodka in tubes can now be purchased in stationary stores, as reported by Internet users. Many photos and recordings have appeared on the Internet documenting the presence of alcohol in sachets in many Polish supermarkets.
“In my store, they went even further and displayed these monkeys in a mousse stand. I didn’t even pay attention to it because I thought they were those mousses from Tymbark. My daughter, with a smile on her face, asked if she could take some Musiki and only after I agreed, she gave me one and said: ‘see what it is’. Luckily, it’s already gone from the rack in the store. Drama as usual,” according to an Internet user’s entry shared by Maja Staśko.
Łukasz Musiatowicz also showed the new type of “hundreds”, available for sale in one of the stores in Łochów.
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“Camouflaging vodka will bring it where it shouldn’t be.”
The fact that the controversial product hit store shelves outraged many people: doctors, MPs and activists.
“Wrapping alcohol in packaging that resembles healthy products is highly manipulative” – emphasizes psychiatrist Julia Pankiewicz, calling on the Ministry of Health and Minister Izabela Leszczyna to respond. “My hands dropped. How does this relate to the fight to limit alcohol consumption by Polish citizens? How does this relate to harm reduction? More and more clever camouflage of vodka will result in bringing it where it shouldn’t be” – he adds.
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The psychiatry resident referred to the actions announced by the Ministry of Health that are intended to minimize the problem addictions from alcohol in the country. You could say it’s a terrifyingly big problem. Well, a Synergion study shows that 3 million people use “monkeys” every day, of which 600,000. even twice a day. Statistically, every tenth Pole buys a “monkey” every day.. One of the proposals was a ban on the sale of alcohol at gas stations. As announced, it is to enter into force at the beginning of 2025. What is even more surprising is the fact that alcohol in tubes is now hitting the market.
“Alcohol in tubes is an absolute scandal. Such a product should never be sold,” writes MP Daria Gosek-Popiołek on the X website, sharing a post by Anna Górska, senator of the Republic of Poland of the 11th term.
Górska decided to intervene in this matter. She published a scan of the letter she sent to the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection online. She pointed out that the vodka tubes closely resemble fruit mousses for children offered by the same manufacturer.
“Due to the nature of the product’s similarity to others that do not contain alcohol, there is also a risk that the product will not be properly displayed in stores during its retail sale, which will also violate the above-mentioned regulations,” we read.
Internet creators also do not hide their horror and opposition to this product.
“Such packaging is very problematic if it is sold in supermarkets next to mousses available in similar packaging,” notes Martyna F. Zachorska, known online as the Feminatywy Lady.
“It’s sad because you can guess who the main target of this product is,” writes streamer Andrzej Śledź.
“I’ve known people who hated their jobs so much they had to constantly start at a hundred or two. Not only is it an addiction, but it’s hard to have better prospects in life when you spend all your $$ on drinking,” adds Aryo.
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