Tag: responsible service of alcohol australia

So everyone knows that drinking and driving is dangerous, but still we find numerous cases of people causing crashes because they are drinking. So why are people still drinking and driving as if they are oblivious to its effects? All alcohol you consume is absorbed into your blood stream. So here are a few facts to keep in mind when drinking.
 

Drinking on an empty stomach increases your blood alcohol concentration more quickly than when you have eaten.
 

The alcohol you consume is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach lining, small intestine and large intestine which is why you feel its effects so quickly, although the rate of absorption does vary from person to person. Factors that affect the absorption rate are the amount of food in your stomach and whether the food is protein or fat.  So drinking on an empty stomach causes your blood alcohol level to rise more rapidly and yu begin to feel the effects more quickly.
 

Drinking and Driving Can be Lethal
 

Why s drinking and driving so dangerous? Well driving a complex task, it requires the driver to make the correct decisions and for this complete concentration is necessary. Alcohol lowers your concentration levels and makes these complex tasks more difficult to coordinate.  In fact there is a wealth of information and statistics to show that driving under the influence of alcohol dramatically increases a person’s chance of crashing.
 

There is no absolute safe level of alcohol for drivers
 

The ideal is not to drink at all, but if you have to drink and drive what levels are acceptable?   Australia has very strict drink driving laws and according to these laws the legal limit is 0.05 blood alcohol concentration.  So if you are stopped by police and your blood alcohol levels are higher than this, you will be in trouble. Police have a right to stop you and conduct a breath test at any time.
 

Exceeding the Legal Limit Doubles Your chance of Crashing
 

According to research driving with a blood alcohol concentration level higher than the legal limit doubles your risk of crashing. Statistics also show that alcohol, more than any other element causes the most crashes on our roads. Authorities have even noted that some Australian states can account 1 in 3 accidents to drink driving.
 

How drinking affects your driving:
 

1. Drinking dramatically reduces your response time which especially in an emergency situation can be disastrous.  For example if a pedestrian were to appear in front of your vehicle unexpectedly you would most likely hit them because your reflexes would be too slow to react appropriately to avoid them.
2. Drinking also dulls your thinking so it is difficult to multitask, which makes driving almost impossible.
3. Alcohol, especially when really over intoxicated short term side effects such as blackouts and blurred vision can occur. Any driver knows a split second is all it takes for a crash to occur.  

 

So as a driver it is important to understand the concept of Blood Alcohol Concentration.
 

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the measure used to describe the amount of alcohol in the blood system. The BAC is expressed as grams of alcohol per 100ml of blood. According to Australian law drivers legal limit of 0.05 BAC translates as 0.05gm alcohol per 100ml of blood. This limit applies to passenger car drivers. For other categories it is much lower at 0 BAC or 0.02 BAC which applies to learner drivers, truck, taxi and bus drivers.
 

Translating into drinks, this 0.05 BAC limits means men should drink no more than 2 standard drinks and females no more than one.
 

Alcohol is a drug and dramatically slows your body’s responses both mentally and physically
 

In conclusion we can all agree that drinking over the legal limit or excessively, affects driver’s judgement, thinking, reaction time and reflexes making driving a very bad idea.
 

Alcohol stays in your body a long time and in fact it takes your body much longer to get rid of the alcohol than it does to absorb it. Therefore if you indulge in a heavy night of drinking and then drive the next morning chances are alcohol will still be present in your body and affect your driving ability.  
 

The main factors that influence your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) are your body size, age, level of fitness, liver health, gender, medication and food eaten so the best way to avoid causing a crash or getting into trouble with the law is to avoid drinking and driving completely.
 

Posted by Peter Cutforth
 


 

While most people that try to approach wine tasting fell overwhelmed at first, choosing a wine need not be a backbreaking task.
 

With all the information out there on how to select “the perfect wine”, how to “smell wine”, which wine goes with what food etc. it can be very confusing which is why a few basic hints will help you in your decision.
 

There are several factors which determine how to select a wine, understanding different types of wine and your own preferences will make the choice easier with time and experience.
 
No doubt certain wines go best with certain meals and deciding on the right food & wine pairing can be a lot easier if you know the basics of wine.
 

The main contributing factor in the taste of wines are the type of grape used in its making but  flavours are also affected by factors such as soil, exposure to sunlight, climate, how the grapes are handled and fermented, types of yeast used, whether the wine is aged in wood or oak etc.
 

 Types of Wines
 

Even dummies know that there are 2 basic types of wine,that is white and red wines. While all wines are made from grapes, often winemakers add different fruits and additives to change the flavour of the wine.
 

The biggest difference between white and red wines are that red wines are made using the skins, stems and seeds of red and black grapes, whereas white wine is made from any colour grape but only the clear juice is used.
 

Red wines are usually heavier while white wines are often sweeter. Sparkling wines are wines made by adding carbon dioxide. Champagne is sparkling wine made in the region of France bearing the same name.
 

Wines can thereafter be further categorised as sweet or dry depending on the taste. To know your personal preference, taste various options to develop your own opinion.
 

Tannin Content in Wine
 

This is another element that will affect the taste of the wine. Tannins are a vital ingredient in wines, especially red wines. Tannins come from the vines stalks, grape skins and pips. In a younger wine they are conveyed as a bitter taste but in an aged wine they add a subtle flavour.
 

Another factor to consider is the “length” of a wine, which means the amount of time the sensations of taste and aroma persist after swallowing, is a good measure to consider. This can only be learnt after you’ve tasted a few wines, but recommendations work the best here.
 

Acidity of the Wine
 

Another element of wines to consider is the acid content of the wine. Acids of various types are present in wine which  are essential to the wine’s longevity and affect its taste. A higher acidity wine tends to taste more sharp and sour whereas a low acidity results in flat tasting wine that has a higher chance of getting spoilt.
 

Acidity in the right quantities makes all other flavours in the wine stand out including the undertones of fruit, spice and herbs. The acidity contributes to the flavours often described as tangy, sharp, refreshing,  bright or even crisp.
 

Alcohol Content of the Wine
 

Wine connoisseurs often speak of “the body of a wine”. Some are described as full bodied. This is because of the alcohol content in the wine.  Each wine will have a different alcohol content which will affect its taste.
 

 * 7.5% – 10.5%  alcohol indicates a light bodied wine
 

 * 10.5% – 12.5% alcohol indicates a medium bodied wine
 

 * 12.5% alcohol and over indicates a full bodied (very high alcohol)wine
 

Vintage of the Wine
 

The wines vintage is just a fancy way of saying, year the wine is made. Certain years are better than others due to climatic and weather conditions varying from year to year. The amount of rain that falls close to harvest time typically determines the amount of sugar in the grapes and thus, will affect the taste dramatically.
 

A common myth is that the oldest wines are the only good ones. Older wine does not necessarily mean better wine, especially if the older bottles were from a bad vintage.
 

Keeping these guidelines in mind, choosing a good bottle need not be so daunting a task.
 

Posted by Peter Cutforth
 


 

The Australian National Preventative Health Agency has proposed new national minimum alcohol pricing in an attempt to combat the social problems associated with alcohol abuse.
 

The Australian Hotels Association has opposed the idea, which they believe will have a negative effect on moderate drinkers rather than discouraging those who abuse it. Those who are misusing alcohol are likely to continue doing so, regardless of an increase in price, is what the AHA is arguing.
 

The AHA has also urged the government to look at the effect this concept has had on other countries that have introduced it, such as Scotland before rolling it out in Oz. The AHA also warned that the last thing we need right now is more financial strain, which is what this would mean. The group stressed the need for a more targeted approach to combat problem drinking rather than drinkers in general.
 

This post on TheSHout.com.au has more:
 

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) has urged the Federal Government to reject a national minimum alcohol price being considered by its new preventative health agency.
 

 The AHA has submitted its response to the Australian National Preventative Health Agency (ANPHA) issues paper on minimum pricing, highlighting a lack of evidence supporting the concept and concerns about the impact on the hospitality sector.
 

 “The introduction of a floor price would force up drink prices across the spectrum as brands reposition themselves and impact on the majority of moderate consumers rather than on problem drinkers,” said AHA National CEO Des Crowe.
 

 “All the available evidence indicates that a minimum price would have the biggest impact on the vast majority of people who consume alcohol responsibly and in moderation, while harmful drinkers are less likely to change their drinking patterns in response to price changes.
 

 “The AHA has provided its submission urging the Federal Government to first observe the impact and results of the recently-legislated Scottish 50-pence minimum standard drink price before considering options for adopting such a radical policy here in Australia.
 

 “Governments always promote the need for evidence-based policy, and on this issue the evidence suggests a floor price would mean more financial pain for everyone without addressing the harmful drinkers that are the intended target of the exercise.
 

 “There are legitimate concerns in some communities about the availability of cheap alcohol to at-risk groups, but there is no justification for a national response to a localised problem.
 

 “Addressing harmful drinking requires a more sophisticated approach than just jacking prices up. Interventions must be targeted towards actual problem drinkers rather than on the vast majority of responsible consumers.”
 

 The Australian Liquor Stores Association’s submission will be available in the coming weeks.
 

Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2012/08/06/article/Minimum-pricing-would-floor-pubs-AHA/QCGHWMXNUE.html

 

Authorities have identified alcohol as the main contributor to the violence in many entertainment areas such as the Kings Cross District. While it is obvious that a solution is needed whether or not a minimum pricing would solve the problem remains to be seen.
 

Late trading hours and lack of public transport are just a few of the issues that have been pointed out as making areas such as Kings Cross so conducive to violence and authorities have been urged to address these problems.
 

There is no doubt that increased policing in the area needs to be implemented by authorities, but more importantly the problem of providing alcohol to these criminals in the first place needs to be addressed.  This is where Responsible Service of Alcohol becomes so crucial. The main problem with alcohol at the moment is its abuse and its availability. For any significant change to be seen authorities, venue owners and servers of alcohol need to address this issue.
 

According to the law all workers nvolved in the alcohol service industry need to be appropriately trained. This involves receiving RSA training, which will teach you how to deal with intoxicated customers and the basics of how to serve alcohol responsibly. Luckily the RSA course is available conveniently online, so workers need not take time off work but rather can complete the course from the comfort of their home. This course will leave you well equipped to handle the challenges of alcohol service and will enable you to comply with alcohol service regulation.
 

Posted by Peter Cutforth
 


 

According to a British publication the demand for premium spirits has increased recently. The biggest growth was seen in the whisky and cognac industries. Drinkers seem to be developing what they may perceive as a more sophisticated palette as their preference for premium spirits grows.
 

Good news for bartenders and mixologists is that research also shows an increase in the popularity of cocktails and it is predicted to increase even further in the year ahead, giving bartenders an opportunity to showcase their skills.
 

The popularity of online shopping has also sparked an increase in the number of drinkers that purchase premium spirits online.
 

Interestingly rum is the number unisex spirit, with it topping both the male and female market. The Mojito is still tops when it comes to cocktails. The training given by brand ambassadors and manufacturers are attributed with the increase of popularity of cocktails. Also new campaigns, advertising, initiatives and sponsorships seem to be improving the reputation and increasing the popularity of spirits around Britain and the globe.
 

This post on Harper.co.uk has more:
 

The premium spirits category is the one to watch with sales up double-digit figures in both the on and off-trade, and malt whisky and Cognac taking the biggest value share.
 

That’s according to First Drinks, which yesterday released its in-depth Market Report looking at the current trends and dynamics impacting the UK on and off-trade based on data from CGA Strategy and Nielsen.
 

Sales of spirits priced at £23 and above are booming, the report showed, with the category outperforming the total GB spirits market in both the on and off-trade. In the take home market, premium spirits are worth £158 million, up 10% on the previous year, and in the on-trade the category is worth £341 million, up 29%.
 

Claiming the title of most popular premium spirit is malt whisky, which occupies a 64.4% value share of the total off-trade premium spirits category, while Cognac takes a 13.1% share.
 

First Drinks also found 11% more consumer bought premium spirits versus last year. “The way we drink now is more sophisticated than at any other time,” said managing director Chris Mason.
 

Cocktails are another thriving trend, according to First Drinks, with demand growing consistently over the last five years and 76% of on-trade outlets currently reporting equal or increased cocktail sales on last year.
 

In the on-trade cocktails are sold in one in five outlets, compared to just 16% last year, and it’s predicted cocktail consumption will grow by over 10% in the next two years. But First Drinks warned that training is key, with only 23% of outlets currently taking advantage of training from suppliers and brand ambassadors.
 

“Cocktails remain a massive sales driver for the on-trade,” said Jon Collins, CGA Strategy’s chief operating officer, “in fact CGA’s latest survey found that 87% of drinkers consider cocktails as part of their drinks repertoire.”
 

In the off-trade, rum is the favourite base spirit for cocktails for both men and women, although the spirit is more highly favoured by women.
 

The report also found the classic Mojito is still the number one cocktail, and consumers are prepared to pay between £5.01 and £7 for a cocktail.
 

Overall the GB beer, wine and spirits market is worth over £37 billion, up 3%. The on-trade is currently worth £22.7 billion, up 3%, and the off-trade is worth £14.6 billion, up 4%.
 

Spirits is the number two sub-category in BWS in the on-trade and number three sub-category in the off-trade.
 

First Drinks added that online shopping in the UK has taken off faster than anywhere in Europe with 26% penetration – representing a massive opportunity for the spirits category. Sales from internet retailing are expected to double in the next ten years, it said.
 

The company also revealed details of a number of new campaigns and initiatives under way this year. These include The Glenfiddich Walking with the Wounded sponsorship; new advertising campaigns for Green Mark and Żubrόwka; a major on-pack activity for Grant’s with its Find my Past campaign; new packaging for Glenfiddich 21 Year Old, Tullamore Dew, Tia Maria and Mateus; and the launch of Rémy Martin’s VSOP Mature Cask Finish.
 

Source: http://www.harpers.co.uk/news/news-headlines/12516-demand-for-premium-spirits-at-all-time-high.html

 

Posted by Peter Cutforth
 


 

There seems to be an increase in the pub violence occurring in the Kings Cross district of Sydney. But licensees are insisting that they are not to blame, calling for authorities to act to decrease the prevalence of violence in the area.
 

Although establishments have a responsibility in how they serve alcohol, establishments insist they are not the root of the problem, which lead to the death of a young man in the area recently.
 

But are these licensees just passing the buck on something they should take responsibility for?  Well they claim that other problems such as a lack of reliable transport, mixing drugs and alcohol all contribute to the violence in the area.
 

While pub owners are calling for more surveillance in the area by the council installing more cameras, authorities have done even better by introducing increased police presence in the area on “party” nights, similar to the kind of policing used for special events. Authorities will also install additional cameras to monitor activities in the area. One of the other possibilities is the introduction of a reliable 24 hour transport service, so patrons are not left stranded in the area without transport, which leads to loitering and nasty incidents.
 

There are also a number of minors in the area that shouldn’t be, so parents also need to take responsibility and know where their children are especially at night. Pubs need to be vigilant in who they are serving, because these minors are getting their alcohol from somewhere. So publicans that are serving minors need to stop, as they face hefty penalties if they are caught, this includes fines for the workers, the owners and management of the establishment.
 

It may not be entirely fair to blame pub owners, as stats show that the violence is occurring not in the pubs themselves but rather outside them on the streets.
 

Theshout.com.au has more on the issue:
 

Licensed premises cannot be held responsible for violence in Sydney’s Kings Cross entertainment district, according to AHA NSW boss Paul Nicolaou, who has joined with a prominent Kings Cross publican in calling for greater CCTV coverage of the area and improved transport options.
 

 In a frenetic week of media coverage following a fatal assault on teenager Thomas Kelly last Saturday night, blame has swiftly been apportioned to venues serving alcohol in the area.
 

 But CEO of the AHA NSW, Paul Nicolaou, yesterday said inadequate CCTV coverage and transport options are the real cause of the problems.
 

 “It has been too easy to simply blame licensed premises for too long without any attention being paid to the very obvious problems in places like Kings Cross – problems with late night transport, pre-fuelling and people mixing drugs with alcohol in particular,” he said.
 

 Today City of Sydney Council announced an action plan for Kings Cross including major event-style policing on Friday and Saturday nights, increased Council powers to limit licences and a range of new transport measure with ‘sprint’ bus services between the Cross and Town Hall.
 

 Yesterday the City announced it would install within a month an additional six CCTV cameras it approved last March, taking the total for the area to nine.
 

 Andrew Gibbs, CEO of Solotel, proprietor of the Kings Cross Hotel, told TheShout that the problems in the area are all occurring outside licensed venues.
 

 “There are no Kings Cross venues on Level one or Level two of the NSW violent venues list – this would indicate the problems in Kings Cross are not occurring within venues but on the streets.
 

 “You always see a lot of underage kids on the streets, many of whom are obviously affected by alcohol or drugs.
 

 “Transport options are at best poor, which leads to frustration and violence particularly at taxi ranks.
 

 “The CCTV coverage in Kings Cross is very poor.  Police generally rely on footage from venues when investigating incidents that take place on the street.”
 

 In news just released, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is meeting with Paul Nicolaou to discuss new solutions including the possible introduction of 24-hour transport.
 

Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2012/07/13/article/Dont-blame-pubs-for-Kings-Cross-woes-AHA/OVZIQSWQAO.html

 

Posted By Peter Cutforth
 


 

Counsellors are people who are most often looked up to in a community, there as role models to the youth, however that was not the case in a recent incident involving a former drug and alcohol counsellor.
 

The counsellor tested three times over the legal blood alcohol limit when he crashed into 3 parked cars in the Hepburn Springs area. One would expect a former counsellor to be all the more careful and as he knew the dangers of drink driving better than anyone, in my opinion the courts went a little too easy on him.
 

The bizarre incident involved the man side swiping 2 parked cars before colliding with another parked vehicle. Ironically the man was a third time drink driver, but somehow managed to escape jail. 
 

The penalty awarded by the court seems mild considering that the driver was a former counsellor and this was not his first incident. He was only sentenced to community service and a licence suspension period of 26 months. The fact that the man continued to drive after hitting into the parked vehicles means he does not wish to take responsibility for his actions. Thankfully the man is no longer a drug and alcohol counsellor.
 

This post by TheCourier.com should provide you with more insight:
 

FORMER drug and alcohol counsellor crashed into three parked cars while almost three times over the legal blood alcohol limit, a court has heard.
 

Simon Holmes, 42, was going to get dinner in Hepburn Springs on the night of February 16 this year when the series of collisions occurred.
 

After drinking at home, Holmes decided to get take away food from Ruben’s Restaurant, but before he got there he side-swiped two parked cars belonging to restaurant employees.
 

He then kept driving and collided into the rear of a parked silver Toyota vehicle, which belonged to a restaurant patron.
 

The Toyota suffered moderate damage.
 

Holmes, a third time drink driver, appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday where he narrowly avoided jail.
 

Instead, he was sentenced to a 12 month community corrections order including assessment, treatment and testing for alcohol abuse.
 

He was also disqualified from driving for 26 months.
 

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Clint Prebble said that after hitting the three vehicles, Holmes drove off before returning, parking his car and picking up his dinner.
 

Police attended at Holmes’ address about 50 minutes later.
 

Defence lawyer David Tamanika said his client had since resigned from his job.
 

“His concerns were that his personal habits were not on par with how his position was to be carried out,” Mr Tamanika said. “It seems he carries a lot of grieving issues around with him.”
 

The court heard Holmes had gotten out of rehabilitation just days before the incident occurred.
 

In sentencing, magistrate Michelle Hodgson said Holmes should have known not to drive, especially considering his past occupation.
 

“Obviously this occurs at a time of crisis for your client,” she said. “He’s damaged his own health significantly due to alcohol and drug use and now it’s impacting on the rest of the community.
 

“He was very close to receiving a jail sentence today.”
 
The father-of-one pleaded guilty to four charges including drink driving, careless driving and failing to stop a vehicle after an accident.
 

Source: http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/crime-and-law/former-alcohol-counsellor-on-drink-driving-counts/2582650.aspx

 

The outcome of the counsellor’s drink driving could have been much worse. Recently a man was jailed in New Zealand after crashing into 2 children while intoxicated. The one girl suffered near fatal injuries to the brain and the man was jailed.
 

Tvnz.co.nz reported on the incident:
 

On December 22 last year, Aiono drunk drove down Wordsworth Rd, Manurewa, at between 75kmh and 94kmh.  The speed limit is 50kmh.
 

Aiono swerved to avoid a van, and lost control of his car.
 

The car then crossed to the other side of the road and hit two girls – aged eight and 11 – who were walking along the footpath.
 

The girls were thrown over a fence.
 

Judge Blackie said Aiono’s first reaction was to accelerate off the lawn of the property his car had landed in and flee the scene, but his car was too damaged to do so.
 

“You therefore got out of the car and ran off. Others who were in the vicinity apprehended you and brought you back to the scene. Meanwhile, both of the two girls, one aged 8 and aged 11 both lay very seriously injured. One girl might be described as critically injured.”
 

Eight-year-old Carmella was taken to hospital and spent ten days in a coma.
 

“She almost died,” the judge told the court.
 

Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/drunk-driver-jailed-hitting-girls-4967821

 

This incident should be a warning to other motorists that their actions have consequences for more than just themselves, innocent lives can be affected. Responsible drinking is a subject that needs more attention especially if even drug and alcohol counsellors cannot be trusted to do the right thing when it comes to alcohol consumption and driving.
 

Posted by Peter Cutforth
 


 

An interesting and shocking statistic recently revealed that 90% of Australian youth had tried alcohol by the age of 14.  The risk of serving alcohol to underage drinkers goes far beyond the legal ramifications for the server. Alcohol consumption by teenagers can have dangerous and far reaching consequences. 
 

Under Responsible Service of Alcohol law serving alcohol to minors carries major fines for workers, management and owners of establishments, but the real cost of serving teenagers are the social consequences, such as teenage drink driving, teenage pregnancy and teenage violence.
 

Perhaps the most serious and common danger associated with drinking in general is the amount of people that get behind the wheel while intoxicated. This is not limited to teens, but it is a leading cause of death in teenagers.
 

A lot of the teenage drinking occurs during “schoolies week” or the week when teens celebrate the closure of school. Parents need to be aware of this and guard their children against it.
 

An even more problematic issue that teens than drink occasionally are teens that develop a habit of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a substance abuse disorder in which the sufferer has problems managing how much alcohol they drink, and their lives as a result. Because teenagers are not mature – physically and emotional, they are more susceptible to addictions and make rash decisions when intoxicated. 
 

The symptoms of alcoholism include tolerance to alcohol, withdrawal episodes, using more alcohol for longer periods of time, and problems managing life issues due to alcohol.  Often teenagers may try to dull their adolescent problems with alcohol.  Alcoholism is caused by a number of individual, family, genetic, and social factors rather than by any one cause. 
 

Alcoholism is diagnosed by evaluating whether the individual shows a number of symptoms of problem drinking on a regular basis.  
 

Causes of Alcohol Abuse in Teens
 

One of the main factors contributing to teenage addiction are family risk factors. These include little parent care and supervision, lack of communication from parents, inconsistent or severe parental discipline, abuse, bullying at school or among peers and a family history of alcohol or drug abuse. Individual risk factors include problems managing impulses, emotional instability, thrill-seeking behaviour and perceiving the risk of using alcohol to be low due to insufficient guidance and peer pressure.
 

According to documented research girls who drink, as well as teens who begin drinking prior to 14 years of age or those whose mothers have drinking problems, are more likely to develop alcoholism. Also studies show that teens who have a good relationship with their mothers in particular, are less likely to develop a drinking problem.
 

Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse in Teens
 

While the symptoms can be similar or exactly the same as adult alcoholic’s symptoms, some of the most common symptoms of alcohol abuse in teenagers include lying, making excuses, breaking curfew, staying in their room, becoming verbally or physically abusive toward others, having items in their possession that are connected to alcohol use, the smell of alcohol on their breath or body, mood swings, stealing, and changes in friends.
 

One of the most common occurrences amongst teenage drinkers is alcohol poisoning. This is the potentially fatal result of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time, the body is not able to process the amount of alcohol introduced to it. In teens whose bodies are still developing and do not have any alcohol tolerance this problem is particularly relevant.  It is caused by alcohol slowing down the body’s functions such as breathing, heart rate, and gag reflex), thereby potentially leading to choking, coma, stopped breathing, stopped heart, and death. Treatment involves getting the teenager to the hospital immediately so he or she can be closely watched by medical professionals, given oxygen and fluids, and so that other measures can be taken in order to prevent choking, as well as stopped breathing or heartbeat.
 

While parents play the biggest role in influencing teenagers, peer pressure is also a major cause of drinking. Parents can’t prevent their teenagers from experimenting with alcohol, but they can encourage sensible drinking habits and display a good example for their children to follow.
 

Those in a position to serve alcohol to underage minors need to be aware of the ramifications of their actions not only for themselves for the teenagers involved. Serving alcohol to a teen may affect the rest of their life or cut it short, so be responsible rather than their friend – it could save their life.
 

Posted by Peter Cutforth
 


 

The recent decision by many leading sporting organisations to drop their alcohol sponsors has opened up the debate of whether sporting teams should endorse alcohol.
 

Although alcohol sponsors provide valuable funding to many sporting teams, government feels it is sending the wrong message, as many of the sports teams represented are health conscious sportspeople who don’t even drink alcohol. The government has in turn provided funding to replace that lost by dropping the alcohol sponsors.
 

Whether or not the largest sports teams in Oz will also adopt the new sponsorship approach remains unclear with the AFL, NRL and Cricket Australia still remaining neutral on the issue, some say continuing to be a bad influence on children by exposing them to alcohol promotion. Meanwhile the Football Federation of Australia has adopted a leading role in the movement to remove alcohol sponsorships from sport.
 

It is probable that alcohol sponsorships will gradually phase out as did the tobacco sponsorships of the past. And as this made tobacco less “glamourous” by not promoting it and associating it will sports, government hopes that this initiative will do the same for alcohol.
 

The large number of minors especially that alcohol is being promoted to is worrying. Just because it is easier to accept money from the big alcohol companies, doesn’t mean it is what is best for society and the community, government wants more sporting teams to take a stand and the funding it provides has given the initiative a kick start.
 

This post on Sbs.com. provides more detail:
 

Australia’s biggest sporting leagues are under pressure to drop alcohol sponsorship after a dozen other codes effectively banned similar types of advertising and support.
 

 Twelve leading sporting organisations – covering athletes in soccer, basketball, netball, swimming, cycling, hockey and others – have agreed to end all existing and future alcohol sponsorship agreements.
 

 In exchange, the groups will share $25 million in replacement government funding taken from new Alcopops tax revenues.
 

 But the nation’s biggest sports organisations – AFL, NRL and Cricket Australia – have not yet signed up to the new program, prompting alcohol abuse experts to push for a similar approach.
 

 “We urge the remaining sports such as AFL, NRL and cricket to start discussions with the government as to how they too can move away from their present role in exposing children to alcohol promotion,” said Professor Mike Daube, co-chair of the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol.
 

 Sports Minister Kate Lundy, who announced the “Be The Influence” strategy on Saturday, said more sporting groups were not part of the initiative partly due to funding issues.
 

 “With $25 million available, this is the best we can do,” she told reporters in Melbourne.
 

 She did, however, praise the three big leagues for their own efforts in trying to reduce binge drinking.
 

 “The issue here is that they are all carrying a responsible drinking message,” she said.
 

Last week, the AFL announced a 10-year extension to a major sponsorship deal with Carlton United Brewers.
 

Cricket Australia has been sponsored by VB for years while the NRL has commercial partnerships with Fosters and Diageo, which makes Bundaberg Rum.
 

These kinds of funding arrangements, however, are now being questioned by some athletes.
 

“It would be an easy option to turn to the alcohol companies,” said Olympic swimming champion Geoff Huegill, who supports Swimming Australia’s decision to join the government initiative.
 

“Back in the 80s you had the tobacco companies that were doing the same things as well. From stamping that out, we’ve had massive change.”
 

 Football Federation of Australia CEO Ben Buckley says his organisation is proud to take a leadership role in reducing alcohol abuse.
 

 “We have an absolute responsibility to make our community clubs and our professional clubs role models in society,” he said.
 

 But NRL spokesman John Brady said he hoped the government would invest more funding in harm prevention groups rather than target sports sponsorship programs.
 

 “Trying to ban alcohol sponsorship isn’t going to achieve anything,” he said.
 

 Australian Medical Association president Dr Steve Hambleton urged big sporting codes to realise the days of accepting cash from alcohol companies were quickly coming to an end.
 

Source: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1662422/12-sports-ditch-alcohol-sponsorship

 

 Posted by Peter Cutforth
 


 

 Reports detailing the benefits of moderate alcohol intake for the bones has been doing the rounds this week on the internet. It has been instigated by a finding by academics who claim to have assessed alcohols impact on bone regeneration in women who have gone through menopause. Moderate drinking has now been hailed as the solution to weak bones in postmenapausal women who often suffer from osteoporosis and other bones diseases. This study is particularly useful for women who cannot afford the costly medication needed to maintain bone density. A healthy diet, together with good and regular exercise when combined with moderate alcohol intake is said to increase the bone turnover and result in strengthened bones. The women in the study averaged 1.4 drinks a day and more than 90% were wine drinkers. As loss in bone density is a problem that experienced everyone who ages, the study may revolutionise the way people deal with bone diseases.

 

According to a post found on The Jerusalem Post Website this is what the university study had to say:

 

Moderate drinking as part of healthy lifestyle could lower risk of developing osteoporosis, new study finds.

 

Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle may benefit women’s bone health, lowering their risk of developing osteoporosis.

 

A new study assessed the effects of alcohol withdrawal on bone turnover in postmenopausal women who drank one or two drinks per day several times a week. Researchers at Oregon State University measured a significant increase in blood markers of bone turnover in women after they stopped drinking for just two weeks.

 

Bones are in a constant state of remodeling with old bone being removed and replaced. In people with osteoporosis, more bone is lost than reformed resulting in porous, weak bones. About 80 percent of all people with osteoporosis are women, and postmenopausal women face an even greater risk because estrogen, a hormone that helps keep bone remodeling in balance, decreases after menopause.

 

Past studies have shown that moderate drinkers have a higher bone density than non-drinkers or heavy drinkers, but these studies have provided no explanation for the differences in bone density. Alcohol appears to behave similarly to estrogen in that it reduces bone turnover, the researchers said.

 

In the current study, published online July 11 in the journal Menopause, researchers in OSU’s Skeletal Biology Laboratory studied 40 early postmenopausal women who regularly had one or two drinks a day, were not on any hormone replacement therapies, and had no history of osteoporosis-related fractures.

 

The researchers found evidence for increased bone turnover – a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures – during the two week period when the participants stopped drinking. Even more surprising: the researchers found that less than a day after the women resumed their normal drinking, their bone turnover rates returned to previous levels.

 

“Drinking moderately as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet and exercise may be beneficial for bone health, especially in postmenopausal women,” said Urszula Iwaniec, associate professor in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at OSU and one of the study’s authors. “After less than 24 hours to see such a measurable effect was really unexpected.”

 

Iwaniec, OSU’s Skeletal Biology Laboratory director Russell Turner, and researcher Gianni Maddalozzo assisted OSU alumna Jill Marrone with the study, which was Marrone’s master’s thesis.

 

This study is important because it suggests a cellular mechanism for the increased bone density often observed in postmenopausal women who are moderate drinkers, Turner said.

 

The researchers said many of the medications to help prevent bone loss are not only expensive, but can have unwanted side effects. While excessive drinking has a negative impact on health, drinking a glass of wine or beer regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle may be helpful for postmenopausal women.

 

“Everyone loses bone as they age, but not everyone develops osteoporosis,” Turner said. “Being able to identify factors, such as moderate alcohol intake, that influence bone health will help people make informed lifestyle choices.”

 

The study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the John C. Erkkila, M.D. Endowment for Health and Human Performance.

 

Source: http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=277422

 

Posted by Peter Cutforth

 

 

Accolades have been piling on for Sydney bartender Tim Phillips who has be named the top bartender in the world. Phillips, who represented Oz for the second time won the contest which was held in Brazil last week. Last year he didn’t make the top 5, but this year he has taken top honours, putting critics to rest. Other Australian bartenders have someone to aspire to in Phillips.

 

TheShout.com.au has a detailed post :

BREAKING NEWS: Sydney bartender Tim Philips has won the international World Class title.

 

 Philips, of Hemmesphere was representing Australia for the second time in the World Class global finals run by Diageo in Rio de Janeiro this week.

 

 Philips represented Australia at the Global Finals last year where he placed 6th out of 34 contestants.

 

 He started his bartending career in Melbourne working for venues such as Ffour and Black Pearl before heading overseas to London where he worked at Milk&Honey and also won the 2009 UK Bartender of the year award.

 

 After a stint in France, where he was managing The Clubhouse, a member-only cocktail bar, he returned to Australia and set up camp in Sydney, working at Merivale’s ivy Level 6 bar. He is currently in the process setting up his own bar which is expected to open later this year.

 

 The news of Philips’ victory has been enthusiastically embraced by the local bartending community with an overwhelming number of people offering their congratulations through Facebook.

 

 Read more at: http://www.theshout.com.au/2012/07/13/article/Sydneys-Tim-Philips-wins-World-Class/MRKVUZVPLH.html

 

This report in thedailytelegraph.com.au provides even more detail on the post:

AN Australian bartender has been named the world’s best at a prestigious awards ceremony in Rio.

 

Tim Philips, 28, who works at swanky Hemmesphere in Sydney, was chosen over 50 other finalists to be named the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year.

 

According to organisers, he “captivated judges with his winning signature serve, a twisted chic cocktail: Hot Toddy Australia, made with Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve blended scotch whisky, honey, cinnamon quill, ginger and innovative technique”.

 

Over the past year, 15,000 contenders from top bars around the world have competed in local and regional heats.

 

“I am thrilled and humbled,” the Aussie said

 

Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/tim-phillips-from-hemmesphere-name-worlds-best-bartender/story-fncvk70o-1226425758683

 

Other bartenders who want to give Phillips a run for his money next year had better develop their mixology skills.

 

We start you off with a few of the basics that you need to learn in order to make it in the world of bartending:

 

• Learn which is more appropriate for certain drinks. When to Shake and When to Stir Cocktails
• The importance of ice, its varying forms and which way to best use it in different drinks
•  The appropriate glass serving ware for various drinks
• How to present a drink so that it is aesthetically pleasing
• Develop speed and accuracy in amounts when mixing
• Which combinations work best.
• Which cocktails require which mixers.
• If there is a certain order for pouring certain drinks and hat this order is.
• Get a good amount of cocktail recipes under your belt and be innovative in creating your own twists. Putting a spin on the old classics will keep it exciting and impress the judges.
• Learn how to measure quantities efficiently and quickly, there’s nothing worse than waiting forever for a drink
• Know your alcohols

 

Most importantly in Oz the government requires that you undergo Responsible Service of Alcohol Training. The good news is that it can be done online, cheaply, conveniently and quickly. Don’t bother with expensive and inconvenient face to face training when you can complete your online RSA course today.

 

Topics to be covered by The Course Include:

 

1. An Introduction to RSA: Which will help trainees understand the purpose for Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA).  Here trainees will learn about the principles of RSA and the role of Government in developing and enforcing RSA legislation in NSW. Government officers and experienced licensees will explain many of these details so that you gain a thorough understanding from the people that know best.

 

2.  RSA legislation:  Covers the skills and knowledge to sell or serve alcohol according to NSW legislation.  This topic will also outline the legal requirements of RSA. Industry professionals will explain the key aspects of RSA legislation and how it applies to your role in industry.

 

3. The Impact of alcohol: Particularly the impact on patrons including long-term health problems, associated with alcohol consumption. Learn how alcohol impacts on personal and community health. Once again we will call on the expertise of a professional, as a health professional will outline issues related to the sale and service of alcohol for different types of customers, especially those at risk. You will also see how to provide accurate information to customers on alcoholic beverages.

 

4. RSA strategies:  This topic will give you a range of skills that will help you to comply with the requirements of the liquor laws.  In this topic you’ll look at role plays demonstrating best practice in RSA strategies so that you can gain practical knowledge on how to apply what you have learned.  You’ll also hear from licensees about how RSA is typically applied by staff in the workplace.

 

So don’t delay visit www.rsaonline.com to complete your course!

 

Posted by Peter Cutforth