ABSTRACT
Poland is of particular interest to the study of alcohol control and alcohol problems because so many of the pertinent factors fall within the control and direction of the State. There are very few resources allocated to alcohol education in Poland and what programmes there are tend to be directed towards young people. This reflects a priority in Poland concerning alcohol problems amongst young people. The method of licensing and distributing alcoholic beverages in Poland generally favours the consumption of lighter alcohol content beverages. In Poland alcohol abuse and alcoholism are considered offences against public morality. Between 1960 and 1976, per capita alcohol consumption increased by 71 per cent, whereas liver cirrhosis deaths increased by 200 per cent. However, by comparison with the countries of the European Commission Poland remains a country with moderate levels of alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis mortality.
