Today (22 April) the XXI Session of the Ełk City Council took place. During the meeting, the city councilors adopted a resolution on the restriction of night sale of alcoholic beverages.

The adopted resolution introduces a restriction sale of alcoholic beverages in the city of Ełk. The restriction applies to sales conducted between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. all retail outlets of alcoholic beverages, including m.in. shops, markets and petrol stations with sales permits alcoholic beverages intended for consumption outside the point of sale.

Restriction details and its entry into force will be published in a separate communication.

Situation analysis

The adoption of the resolution was preceded by an analysis of the situation local market. There are retail outlets in the city of Ełk selling alcoholic beverages also at night. Z analysis shows that the number of retail outlets offering alcoholic beverages after 10:00 p.m. is 31. At the same time, It was established that the sale of alcoholic beverages in the early morning hours, i.e. from 5.00 a.m. it is run in 8 points of sale.

Data on the intervention was provided by the District Headquarters Police in Ełk. In 2025, the following number of events was recorded:

1. Consumption of alcohol in prohibited places - 1691,
2. Bringing people in a state of intoxication to sober up – 687,
3. Committing an immoral prank – 563,
4. Disturbing public order and peace – 430.

According to data from the District Police Headquarters in Ełk, the cost of activities related to bringing people to sobriety in 2025 amounted to about PLN 120 thousand.

Residents reported the problem of alcohol consumption in public space as many as 350 times through the National Hazard Map.

From the data of the Municipal Social Welfare Center in Ełk shows that the problem of alcohol abuse is one of the important factors in the affecting the difficult life situation of families covered by social assistance. On Based on the analyses held, alcoholism ranks 5th among the main reasons for providing support.

In 2025, out of over 6 thousand patients, as many as 322 people tested positive for alcohol at the 118th Military Hospital (ED). These people often end up in a condition requiring extended diagnostics, it is necessary to exclude brain injuries or other serious diseases, which generates additional costs. The average cost of such a patient's stay ranges from PLN 800 to PLN 1500, and in total it amounts to about PLN 322 thousand per year. Importantly, a significant number of these people do not have insurance, and part of the costs are covered by social welfare institutions.

Data from Emergency Medical Teams - in the period from April 2025 to April 2026, rescue teams went out about 7200 times, of which as many as 18% of interventions concerned people under the influence of alcohol. These interventions are among the most dangerous and represent a significant burden on the rescue system both in terms of personnel and equipment.

Public consultations

Ełk City Hall, from February 25 to March 4, 2026 year, consulted on the proposal for the introduction of restriction of night sales of alcoholic beverages in the city of Ełk.

Total number of consultation forms submitted – 493

Behind the introduction restriction of alcohol sales was voted by 409 people (83%)

Against the introduction of 74 people (15%) voted to limit the sale of alcohol

The full report is available here.

Experiences of other cities

Experiences of other local government units, in which restrictions on the night sale of alcoholic beverages have been introduced, intended for consumption outside the point of sale, indicate positive effects of such solutions. In particular, there is a decrease in the number of interventions undertaken by security services at night, reduction of public disturbances and the improvement of public order safety and comfort of life of residents.