Four ways the Czech state wants to curb national alcohol consumption

Recognizing that Czechia has a serious problem with alcohol consumption, the Czech government is planning schemes to help reduce drinking nationwide. It aims to do this by regulating prices, altering sales availability, and strengthening prevention services, among other methods.

National Anti-Drug Coordinator Jindřich Vobořil said in a government program statement that the price and excise duty of alcohol could change, though did not specify exactly how much by. Czechia is already indirectly discouraging alcoholic consumption following the decision in 2023 to hike its value-added tax rate on draft beer from 10 to 21 percent. 

The coalition has also long been debating the introduction of excise duty on still wine, which may come into force in the coming years. This would, in turn, bump up prices for the consumer. 

Vobořil also wants to restrict the availability of alcohol. He plans to do this by imposing time windows (or limits) on when drinks are sold. Advertising, too, will be affected: the state is considering broadcasting alcohol-related ads only after 10 p.m. at night. Labels may also include a warning about harmfulness, similar to tobacco packages today.     

Vobořil has previously criticized the “aggressive advertising [of alcohol] often aimed at young people."

Czechia’s anti-drug coordinator also wants to set up prevention and support programs for people suffering from alcohol addiction, which sets out to increase rehabilitation rates. 

He also wants to help domestic abuse victims: he pointed out this week that almost 15 percent of adults have “experienced an unpleasant situation due to the consumption of alcohol by another person in the last 12 months.”

According to the government, the regulation of addictive substances will be based on their level of harm. That state approved a plan against addiction last year, which already includes several measures and deadlines for implementation. 

“We want to protect minors from HHC [a cannabinoid drug] and kratom, but we can't turn a blind eye to the fact that alcohol is responsible for most intoxication," member of parliament (MP) Klára Kocmanová said this week.

At the national Alcohol, Children, and Violence conference held earlier this week, government commissioner for human rights, Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková said: "Protecting children and preventing violence are priorities that we must promote at all levels. Social responsibility means that each of us must contribute to the necessary systemic change and more effective protection of the rights and needs of children in our country."

However, Vobořil stated that enforcing the alcohol-regulation plans is challenging due to insufficient funding and a lack of political motivation to change legislation. 

MP Renáta Zajíčková said the possible restriction of alcohol availability in Czechia is an "explosive topic," and that “it is not realistic to adopt a major legislative change during this election period.” 

“Let's be realistic. What is not prepared in an advanced form has no hope," Zajíčková said damningly.

Vobořil also stated that enforcing these plans is challenging due to insufficient funding and a lack of political motivation to change legislation. He says that it is unclear whether the law could be passed in parliament before the next general election (expected in autumn 2025).