RSA Course Online

Tag: Responsible Service of Alcohol

  • Study Reveals The Woes of Alcohol Abuse Worldwide

    Sobering statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) are a reminder of why Responsible Service of Alcohol is an important factor in minimising alcohol harm in Australia.

    According to the analysis of numerous studies and data from around the world, alcohol is to blame for 3 million deaths worldwide – 5 per cent of all deaths on the planet.

    The revelation from WHO shows that three quarters of alcohol deaths are among males and young people between 20-39 are the most at risk group with a 13.5 per cent mortality linked to alcohol use.

    Alcohol is responsible for 2.5 per cent of deaths of women and 7.5 per cent of deaths of men.

    WHO estimates that 237 million men and 46 million women worldwide drink excessively or abuse alcohol.

    Find out more https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2018/09/22/alcohol-is-responsible-for-5-of-all-deaths-globally-study-finds/#6871a10a6dc8

  • How Alcohol Affects the Behaviour of an Alcoholic

    As a drinker no one has to tell you that alcohol affects the way you behaviour, especially when you overdo it. The effects are different for everyone, with some people becoming overly chatty, some withdrawn, others rude and obnoxious, while some notice little difference in their personality.

    When it comes to alcohol dependence and alcoholism, there some distinct personality traits that you can look out for.

    Alcohol changes how the brain functions so people might commit hurtful or illegal acts unintentionally while drunk, things they would not ordinarily do.

    In teenagers fighting, stealing, skipping school and depression are some signs that parents should look out for.

    Some of the other behaviours of problem drinkers include,

    • Abusiveness – verbal, emotional and physical
    • Drinking secretly
    • May become neglectful.
    • Highly strung, quicker to start fights and physical altercations.
    • Speak illogically and hurtfully to others and not remember the next day.
    • Engage in irresponsible sexual activity including unprotected sex and sexual assault,
    • They aren’t safety conscious, often risking their own safety and that of others.

    For more information about problem drinking, particularly in teens read https://www.verywellmind.com/teen-drinking-and-behavior-problems-63721

  • NT Introduces Minimum Alcohol Price

    The minimum charge for a standard drink in the Northern Territory has been set at $1.30 as of 1 October 2018.

    The NT became the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce an alcohol floor price, following a similar move by countries like Scotland and Canada.

    The change will mostly affect the cost of cask wine.

    Public health experts have welcomed the move and urged other state governments to consider a similar move.

    Read more at http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/nt-introduces-minimum-alcohol-price/10326032

  • Victoria’s Supply of Liquor to Minors Laws Changed

    Earlier this year the Victorian Government passed the Liquor and Gambling Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (LGLA Act), making a number of amendments to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (LCR Act).

    Under the amendments liquor licensees are affected and the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) has called on licensees to understand their obligations under the Act.

    The amendments reduce red tape for licensees and aim to minimise community harm.

    The changes came into effect on 13 September and under the amendments licensees may not supply alcohol to minors under the age of 18 on licensed premises, under any circumstances unless that minor is delivering the liquor to a person of legal drinking age off the premise and that minor is a relative, employee or apprentice of the licensee.

    There are also amendments to supplying alcohol to minors in residences, only allowing parents/guardians to supply liquor to minors in a residence if they can demonstrate responsible supervision of the supply of liquor.

    For all the amendments visit the VCGLR website.

    Source: https://www.theshout.com.au/news/victorias-supply-of-liquor-to-minors-laws-change-tomorrow/

  • Do You Drink More Than The Average Australian?

    According to statistics we only drink about 72 per cent as much alcohol per person as they did in the 1970s. When it comes to beer, we drink only 40 per cent of what they did back then.

    What has increased, is our love of wine.

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that 21 per cent of the population are actually non-drinkers.

    Statistics confirm that overall Australians consume the following amounts of alcohol in a week,

    • 4.1 stubbies of beer
    • 3.6 glasses of wine
    • 2.9 nips of spirits

    Read more at: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/do-you-drink-more-than-an-average-australian-20180905-p501tp.html

  • A Beer That Will Never Make You Drunk

    Carlton and United Breweries (CUB) has released a beer that tastes and smells like the usual but has absolutely no alcohol.

    The brewery  one of the country’s oldest, says people have been asking for it and they finally answered, a beer that doesn’t contain alcohol but also doesn’t compromise on taste.

    The beer is aimed at both drinkers and non-drinkers.

    While it offers drinkers an opportunity to drink more responsibly without the fear of getting drunk, some say it may be a gateway to alcohol for non-drinkers particularly minors who may develop a taste for beer.

    Source: https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/09/07/17/26/zero-alcohol-beer-carlton-drinking-culture-australia

  • Is Alcohol Safe for Diabetes Sufferers?

    Type 2 diabetes is becoming more and more common and is extremely dangerous if not properly controlled. The condition causes the level of sugar in the blood to become too high and can lead to problems with the heart, eyes and nerves.

    Controlling the condition means avoiding too much sugar and fat, so is it still safe to consume alcohol?

    According to Diabetes UK, sufferers of type 2 diabetes can still drink alcohol but need to be aware of certain things.

    • Drinking alcohol makes the blood sugar level drop and this can lead to hypoglycaemia in diabetic people who take medication to keep their blood sugar level low.
    • Drinking heavily on an empty stomach can increase your risk of hypoglycaemia.
    • Drinking causes your liver to work twice as hard because its trying to keep your blood sugar level stable, while ridding the body of alcohol.
    • Your blood sugar may drop and stay low until your liver has dealt with the alcohol. It may cause you to crave carbs and wake up the next morning with a headache.

    The group also warns that alcoholic drinks can have a lot of calories which can lead to weight gain and this can increase your risk of diabetes.

    They also warn that type 2 diabetes sufferers should avoid low-sugar beer and cider because they contain less sugar but more alcohol.

    Low alcohol wine should also be avoided because it has more sugar than normal wine.

    Also avoid high sugar drinks like sweet wine, liqueur and sherry.

    Find out more https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1015332/type-2-diabetes-treat-control-is-alcohol-safe

     

  • Brits Drinking at Home are Landing up in Hospital

    According to British newspaper, Mirror.co.uk more than 50 people daily are treated in hospital for alcohol related liver disease in The UK due to drinking at home.

    The alarming figures show that the number of patients in England has risen by 57 per cent over the past 12 years.

    According to the figures 20,751 people suffered the potentially deadly condition in the year to March 31,2017, which is up from 13,201 in the 2004/5 period.

    Data shows that one in three patients were women and more than 200 are under 30 years of age.

    The British Liver Trust has described the problem facing the country as a “liver disease epidemic” as more people are drinking cheap alcohol alone at home.

    See more at https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/stay-home-drinking-crisis-sending-13099755

  • How to Drink and Still Keep Your Liver Healthy

    While a glass of rose a day may make you seem cool, you could actually be doing damage to your liver. If you want to keep your liver healthy while still enjoying a glass of wine now and then, follow these rules

    1. Eat a healthy balanced diet.
    2. Drink moderately and always stick to the recommended daily limit (2 standard drinks).
    3. Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
    4. Have an alcohol break.
    5. Find out about your genetic history and liver health.
    6. Drink alcohol which has been proven by research to lower liver disease risk.

    Source: https://www.brit.co/how-to-drink-responsibly/

  • New Alcohol Laws come into effect in WA

    The new liquor licensing laws introduced by Western Australia’s government has come into effect. The government believes the laws will significantly impact the hospitality landscape in the state.

    The Liquor Control Amendment Bill 2018 aims to build on the legislation that prompted the expansion of Perth’s small bar scene, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.

    According to the state’s premier Mark McGowan the legislation strikes the right balance between community health and safety and a hospitality culture that promotes tourism.

    So far this year more than 100 new licensed venues opened in the state, attributed to the government’s support for the industry.

    The new legislation reduces regulatory burdens on licensees and laws are liberalised to give the state’s consumers and tourists more choice.

    One of the changes is that patrons are allowed to now take home partially consumed wine from a small bar or tavern if they don’t finish the whole bottle – previously this only applied to restaurants.

    Another amendment is the streamlining of licensing arrangements for existing, established, local licensees to cater at temporary and pop-up bars at short-term events such as micro-festivals.

    A post on TheShout.com.au highlighted some of the other amendments to the legislation that came into effect,

    • Restaurants with the capacity for 120 people or less will no longer need to apply for a separate permit to serve liquor without a meal – they will simply ‘opt in’ when they first apply for their licence;

    • Ongoing hours Extended Trading Permits (ETPs) will be valid for up to 10 years – increased from five years, cutting burden and cost for licensees;

    • Spirit producers will be able to trade in the same manner as wine and beer producers – authorising the sale of liquor for consumption on and off the licensed premises;

    • Clubs in WA will be allowed to accept genuine tourists/visitors – fees will apply to visitors; and

    • Discretion by the licensing authority to consider low-risk applications without having regard to the public interest assessment requirements.

    Source: https://www.theshout.com.au/news/was-new-liquor-laws-set-to-begin/

    The new laws were welcomed by the Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO Bradley Woods saying its important that the state’s laws change with the industry and not inhibit it.

    “The recent passage of the Liquor Control Act Amendment Bill represents the most substantial modernisation of the state’s liquor laws in a decade.

    “It is critical that the laws governing liquor licensing, consumption and trade on licensed premises are in line with community expectations, help facilitate businesses to grow and do not unnecessarily restrict patrons or licensees. The reforms which commence on Saturday deliver on these objectives.

    “The AHA(WA) is proud to have played an important role on behalf of our members in lobbying Government on the need for change and we are pleased to have achieved the overwhelming majority of what we set out to accomplish.

    Source: https://www.theshout.com.au/news/was-new-liquor-laws-set-to-begin/

    He also said his organisation was proud of the role it played in lobbying government on behalf of its members which had contributed to these changes.