Prominent anti-alcohol campaigners, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) are lobbying for Tasmanian licensed venues to be banned from selling strong alcoholic drinks after 10pm.
FARE has made a number of recommendations but one of the most notable is the 10pm strong alcohol ban. The group wants licensed venues in the state to stop serving shots, pre-mixed drinks with more than 5 per cent alcohol and mixed drinks with more than 30ml of alcohol after 10pm.
FARE made the recommendations to a review of Tasmania’s Liquor Licensing Act which included forcing venues to record alcohol sales data, trading hours and attendance numbers and have the data released publicly.
An article on TheShout.com.au went on to describe some of the other recommendations made by FARE,
It wants venues forced to have supervisors from 11pm with a sole role of monitoring responsible serving of alcohol practices.
The laws should also force venues to stop alcohol sales half an hour before closing time, FARE argues.
The review is likely to lead to changes to licensing laws.
FARE also wants more challenging requirements for people to obtain and keep liquor licences, and naming and shaming of venues found to have breached responsible service of alcohol requirements.
Source: http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/2003232/10pm-drinks-ban-push/
According to the submission made by FARE, stronger controls are needed because alcohol is now more affordable than it has been over the last 3 decades. It is also more available than ever before with alcohol costing as little as 24c for a standard drink in the state. FARE has urged the review to consider these issues relating to low cost, wide availability and the promotion of alcohol. The article went on to explain:
“Across Australia today, alcohol is more affordable than it has been in over three decades,” the FARE submission said.
“It is more available than it has ever been and it is more heavily promoted.”
It said alcohol could be bought in Tasmania for as little as 24c per standard drink.
“Alcohol has also become more readily available in Tasmania, with the number of liquor outlets increasing by 25 per cent over nine years.”
“Given the importance of these factors in contributing to alcohol-related harms, it is important that this review considers the price, availability and promotion of alcohol.”
Source: http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/2003232/10pm-drinks-ban-push/
To avoid stricter controls being implemented across Tasmania it is important that licensed venues act to prove that these controls are not necessary. The best way to do this is to ensure responsible service of alcohol in venues.
Licensees need to ensure that they have completed Responsible Service of Alcohol training and that all staff employed within the licensed venue have also done so, whether they are serving alcohol directly or simply clearing tables – everyone from security staff to management and bartenders must be in possession of an RSA certificate if they are employed in a licensed venue.
The RSA course can be completed quickly, conveniently and easily online. Visit our homepage today for more info.