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Tag: Responsible Service of Alcohol

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Update: Licensees Defend their Venues

    Although licenced venues often get a bad rap, as licensees insist licenced venues are not to blame for the alcohol fuelled violence filling the streets each weekend night. Brawls, attacks and assaults seem to inundate the news these days. Now a Launceston hotel owner says that licenced premises are actually amongst the safest places to visit.

    A member of the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, the licensee says that inside licensed venues are some of the safest places to enjoy alcohol, the problems occur on the streets and if these problems are alcohol-fuelled then the alcohol causing them is not being obtained at licenced premises.

    Usually the worst violent incidents occur many blocks away from licenced venues, so the blame that some people are placing on licensed venues is unwarranted, according to licensees.

    Read what one licensee had to say in defence of licenced venues recently, according to this post from www.examiner.com.au :

    Star Bar licensee Mick Acquarola, a Tasmanian Hospitality Association board member and past Launceston Liquor Accord vice chairman, said there had been no incidents at his business for “quite some time”.

    He said it was a misconception that licensed venues encouraged alcohol-related crime.

    “Incidents are happening, either at homes or away from venues,” Mr Acquarola said.

    “We have security and responsible service of alcohol procedures that we adhere to.

    “We keep our patrons safe.

    “It’s tough enough to get people out in winter time. We want to keep things positive.”

    Mr Acquarola said there was an assumption from media reports that people involved in bashings had been out drinking.

    “Incidents getting reported in the past few weeks have not been directly involved with a venue or outside the door of a venue,” he said.

    “They happen in the street, two to three blocks away, or in a suburb.”

    Source: http://www.examiner.com.au/story/1569301/alcohol-related-crime-not-fuelled-by-licensed-venues/

    The truth is that every Monday in the news we hear about the chaos that seems to erupt each weekend in entertainment districts around the country. It is true that licenced venues are some of the safest places to drink and stay safe and if we are to keep it that way it is important that licensees and their staff remember the importance of enforcing responsible service of alcohol.

    Firstly owners of licenced venues need to ensure that everyone they hire is either in possession of their RSA certificate or are in the process of obtaining it. This certificate or a copy needs to be kept on the licenced premises in case authorities call on it.

    Secondly licensees need to ensure that their employees aren’t just in possession of the RSA certificate but that they are enforcing the principles it teaches, in order to avoid alcohol fuelled misconduct and harm occurring within their venue.

    Servers of alcohol who perform their duties according to RSA regulations provide a duty of care to customers that in turn promotes job satisfaction. Workers who are serving customers responsibly are performing their duty, keeping themselves, their co-workers and their customers happy and safe.

     

  • Drinking Habits Connected with Weight

    We’ve all heard it being said that our alcohol habits are connected to our waistline, in other words the more we drink the more weight we gain, but a new study examines why certain women who drink frequently develop a “beer belly” while others can drink daily and not gain weight.

    Most drinks are a combination of carbohydrates, sugar and ethanol. The ethanol is absorbed into your bloodstream while the remainder of the drink (sugar and carbs) is processed by the body as other foods are, the normal digestive system. The alcohol or ethanol however is diverted to the liver instead and burned off quite quickly. The sugars and carbs mix with whatever else is being digested by your body and is likely to be stored as fat.

    Just as certain foods are more fattening and make you gain weight when you eat them excessively, so too alcoholic drinks with a high calorie content will have the same effect.

    Researchers therefore point out drinking is not the problem, it is how often we drink and how much we drink that is likely to contribute to our waistlines.

    An article from FoxNews.com discussed the issue at great length, here is an excerpt from that post which should shed some light on the issue:

    A 2010 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine may be the best news for booze since the 21st Amendment. Researchers found that women who had one or two alcoholic drinks a day were actually less likely to gain weight than those who shunned the sauce. And they did it while consuming more calories overall (from food and drink) than both heavy drinkers and teetotalers.

    Short of striking a deal with the devil, how did they manage to pull that off? Researchers believe that the bodies of long-term moderate drinkers somehow adapt to metabolize alcohol differently than heavy or occasional drinkers. They use more energy, burning the calories in the drink—or even more than that—while digesting it, Dr. Lu Wang, the lead researcher of the study and an instructor in medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said.

    Read the full article: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/14/drinking-alcohol-to-shrink/#ixzz2WTMHM6y1

    So what should you do to avoid excess weight from alcoholic drinks?

    The truth is that researchers have collected data which proves that moderate drinkers actually enjoy healthier lives than teetotallers, so abstinence is not necessary, however moderation is advised.

    Never ever drink alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach and if your do intend on snacking while drinking, which is recommended, choose healthier options rather than unhealthy, greasy options which normally accompany a night of drinking such as crisps, chips, burgers and other fast foods.

    Eat a healthier dinner before you start drinking rather than drink on an empty stomach. Order or cook before you start drinking so you’re not tempted to go for the less healthy options once you start downing alcohol.

    Pace yourself by taking small sips and again don’t feel pressurized into keeping up with your friends. Drink at a pace that you are comfortable with and avoid binge drinking.

    Don’t overdo it! Binge drinking is never a good idea, for your physical health, mental health and overall wellbeing.

     

  • British Researcher Dispute Belief Moderate Pregnancy Drinking Harmful

    Women are always being told not to drink when they are pregnant and particularly in Australia there has been somewhat of a drive to educate women about the danger alcohol can pose to a developing foetus.

    That is why it seems strange that a British researcher now claims that there is no evidence to support abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy.

    According to an article on Irishtimes.com research published in the British Medical Journal’s BMJ Open online publication moderate drinking by pregnant women does not harm the development of unborn babies. This was deduced from research which evaluated around 7000 children up to the age 10. Moderate drinking for pregnant women is defined as no more than 3 to 7 glasses of alcohol a week.

    The article on Irishtimes.com goes on to explain:

    The children were drawn from a 14,000-strong group born in or around Bristol between 1992 and 1993, who have been examined frequently since birth as part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

    The majority of their mothers – 70 per cent — followed regular medical advice and had drunk no alcohol during pregnancy. The remaining women drank between one and two glasses a week for some and three to seven for others. A glass is defined as a British pub measure of spirits, half a pint of lager or cider, or a standard wine glass of wine.

    The ability was tested of 7,000 10-year-olds to walk on a beam and stand on one leg, with eyes open and closed.

    Curiously, the women who had drunk during and after their pregnancies had the best performing children.

    Low to moderate alcohol consumption did not seem to interfere with a child’s ability to balance, say researchers. However, income plays a role: better static balance is linked to wealth and education.

    Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/moderate-drinking-not-harmful-in-pregnancy-according-to-british-researchers-1.1431164

    This study is just one on the subject, there are countless previous studies which prove that alcohol consumption, particularly excessive consumption can be seriously dangerous for the unborn, growing baby, with previous researchers claiming brain development can be heavily impacted by even a few drinks. Also it is hard to say how much alcohol is acceptable or how much it takes before the foetus is negatively affected.

    A recent article on News.com.au presented a very different view of pregnancy drinking. According to the article if children have memory impairment and struggle to follow instructions they may actually have an undiagnosed foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

    The article suggested that younger mothers in particular seem to placing their babies at risk by binge drinking during pregnancy. More education and awareness needs to be created around the situation, especially to mothers aged 18-29 and school girls as well.

    The article also states that young women that binge drink are in fact producing a new generation of school children that have problems such as learning disabilities, lack of judgement and social skills, poor attention spans and impulsive behaviour, all of which can be detrimental to their education.

    Read the full story at: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/foetal-alcohol-syndrome-linked-to-binge-drinking-by-mums/story-e6frfkp9-1226609211264#ixzz2PaI0xwXv

    So with 2 conflicting opinions from 2 seemingly qualified sources it may be difficult to figure out whether or not to drink while pregnant. Some would prefer to err on the side of caution and abstain completely when they are pregnant whereas others would prefer to take a chance. If you agree with the British research and do decide that drinking during pregnancy is acceptable remember it is never acceptable to binge drink but especially not when you are pregnant. Only drink in moderation and never more than 3-7 glasses of alcohol a week.

     

     

  • Weekend Violence Fuelled by Alcohol

    According to an article on The Daily Telegraph website, last weekend was one filled with alcohol-fuelled violence in Sydney, describing it as “two nights of alcohol-fuelled stupidity this weekend”. And the violence was not limited to locals alone, tourists and even women were involved in the violence, some even being punched and kicked on the streets of Sydney.

    A number of victims landed in the emergency ward at St. Vincent’s Hospital for a number of injuries ranging from minor to serious injuries.

    Reporters from The Daily Telegraph spent the night shift at the hospital with emergency staff to witness the drama. According to them in the eight hours they spent at the hospital, 34 patients were admitted, 25 of which were victims of assault most likely linked to alcohol – that is 73 per cent of patients admitted.

    This excerpt was taken from the article on www.dailytelegraph.com.au

    At 1am on Saturday Professor Gordian Fulde, the head of the emergency department, said goodnight to staff on the “graveyard shift” and wished them well.

    For the first few hours all was quiet. Nurses and doctors filled in paperwork, checked medical equipment and made small talk and cups of tea.

    At the front counter two triage nurses dealt with a few minor cases.

    Then, at 3.40am a young Irishman walked in bleeding from a cut on the head.

    “This is how it starts,” said one of the nurses.

    He and two female friends were attacked on Pitt St by two men.

    “We were just standing there having a joke. Next thing I know they are bashing into me. One even hit my girlfriend. Who hits women for f … . sake?”

    About 40 minutes later the “bat phone” screams out from the centre of the room. It’s amplified and used when a particularly nasty case is on its way and all hands are needed.

    Doctors and nurses run to a counter and the phone connected to ambulance radios is put on loudspeaker. A paramedic details how a 24-year-old man has been a victim of a violent assault in Elizabeth St. “Patient has been punched three times and knocked unconscious, five minutes away.”

    The victim’s 26-year-old brother was in the ambulance behind him having had his nose smashed after the two got involved with a group of men walking down Elizabeth St.

    Read more: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-cbds-violent-side-back-on-show-as-brawls-and-alcohol-fuel-the-weekend/story-fni0cx12-1226664681078

    Dr Fulde goes on to explain that after 3am is what doctors call “red line” time because this is the time when licenced premises start to close down and patrons spill out on to the street. 4:30am is when the ward is bustling with hospital staff and patients.

    The article goes on to discuss a number of assault cases one of which involved a 24 year old club goer who was spear tackled by bouncers at a Sydney club, leaving him unconscious and possibly brain damaged.

    Another incident involved a young man who was found wandering the streets in a daze with a wound to the head.

    According to the doctor young people particularly those in their twenties especially men are falling victim (and are becoming perpetrators) of alcohol fuelled assaults every weekend due to violence.

     

  • RSA Staff – Importance of Paying Attention to Patrons

    What does the work of a bartender or waitron involve? Simply serving food and beverages to customers? Actually bartenders, waitron and staff of licenced venues’ responsibilities involves much more than merely taking people’s orders, it involves ensuring that the harm done to society by alcohol abusers is minimised. This is done by enforcing Responsible Service of Alcohol legislation and following the rules set out by the law and the establishment you work in.

    It is true that the level of alcohol fuelled misconduct in entertainment districts all across the country has gotten out of hand and has public servants such as the police and medical staff as well as the  public concerned, some even too scared to venture into certain districts on weekends or at night. Violent attacks, brawls and drink driving are the main problems and RSA staff do not need to sit back and observe but can actually do something to improve the situation.

    One of the ways that RSA staff can contribute to a safer Oz is by observing and enforcing responsible service of alcohol laws, such as never serving alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons. Paying better attention to customers is one of the ways RSA staff can ensure that some unduly intoxicated patron is not slipping through the cracks.

    While many RSA staff may be of the opinion that it’s just none of their business how much alcohol a patron consumes, according to the law they have a responsibility to never serve alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons.

    The consequences of serving unduly intoxicated patrons can go beyond fines for licensees and their staff, people can be hurt and lives can be lost if responsible service of alcohol rules are not followed. For example if a patron you serve excessively becomes drunk and assaults another patrons or someone outside the venue, you and the licensee may be held accountable. Consequences could be even worse if someone’s life was to be lost as a result.

    Responsible service of alcohol training teaches workers how to identify intoxicated patrons and how to deal with them. It also teaches RSA staff the consequences they and their employer may face if RSA laws are breached.

    If staff of licenced venues pay more attention to their patrons and begin enforcing RSA rules more closely, we should see a decline in alcohol fuelled violence and misconduct on our streets.

    Managers of licensed venues should ensure all their employees are properly trained and know the products that you sell as well as being trained in Responsible Service of Alcohol. Staff of licensed venues from security staff to bartenders must obtain the RSA certificate and keep a copy of the certificate on the premises at all times.

    By paying better attention to customers and ensuring that you are your co-workers do not serve too much alcohol to patrons, you too can do your bit in reducing alcohol fuelled problems in the country.

     

  • Parents Beware of Giving Alcohol to your Kids

    Alarmingly research in Australia has revealed that most teenagers who drink aren’t buying their own alcohol but are most often being given alcohol by their parents.

    Parents may believe that giving alcohol to teens is a way of actually keeping them out of trouble by encouraging them to drink in their presence rather than behind their back, parents need to realise the physical effects of alcohol on a developing adolescent.

    The culture of binge drinking has become an extremely problematic one in Oz, with most teenagers drinking to unacceptable levels causing them to engage in dangerous activities which threaten their health and wellbeing, but what is even more concerning is that most of these teen binge drinkers are actually obtaining alcohol from an adult rather than buying it from RSA staff themselves.

    Something parents should remember is that binge drinking may not seem dangerous now but in addition to serious immediate and long term health effects, it can lead to the use of other drugs. It is commonly referred to as a “gateway drug” because it can open the door for other illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin.

    Alcohol is a drug that works directly on the central nervous system. Studies show that alcohol kills more male teenagers and young men than any other drug taken to affect mood and behaviour including heroin, cocaine and marijuana.

    Numerous studies have in the past discovered strong links between drinking early in life (ie. adolescence) and becoming a binge drinker later in life, many of whom progress on to alcohol addictions.

    In teens whose bodies are still developing and do not have any alcohol tolerance the problem of alcohol poisoning is particularly rife and potentially deadly. 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.

    Waiters, bartenders, liquor store attendants etc. should ensure that they are not contributing to any of these teenage problems by asking everyone who looks under 23 for their proof of age and denying service to any underage patrons.

    Parents who demonstrate responsible behaviour and drink moderately and responsibly are the best teachers for children to learn good drinking habits, conversely parents who abuse alcohol and get out of hand every time they drink are likely to pass on bad habits to their kids.

    Not convinced? Then consider these damaging effects on youth:

    • Young, under developed organs can literally be poisoned by alcohol.
    • The liver can be damaged irreparably. It takes a few days for it to recover and to get back to normal functioning after a ‘session’ of binge drinking
    • A session of binge drinking can cause the heart beat to be so irregularly that it can stop.
    • The body can drop its temperature and suffer hypothermia. Every year some teens die when they get drunk and pass out in the freezing cold.
    • Too little sugar in the body can cause coma and seizures.
    • Breathing can become so shallow or slow that it can stop.
    • Disturbingly, one of the most common occurrences resulting in teen death from alcohol is when they choke on the own vomit because they are unconscious and breathe in the vomit. The body doesn’t get the oxygen needed resulting in brain damage and death.

     

  • Call for MPs to Stick to alcohol code of Conduct

    Since the debacle involving a drunken MP there have been calls for an alcohol code of conduct for MPs. The issue revolves around Finance Minister Greg Pearce who was recently warned by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell that he would be sacked if he was found drunk during parliamentary debates, whether during the day or night.

    The NSW Greens will move a motion that involves a code of conduct for the intake of alcohol by MPs to be implemented when parliament resumes in a fortnight.

    According to Greens MP John Kaye, who has been vocal in his criticism of the incident, a code of conduct for alcohol is needed. Kaye doesn’t believe completely banning MPs from drinking at parliament would happen but a code of conduct is needed to ensure that our state’s leaders do not “overdo” it – thereby affecting their ability to make logical decisions regarding the state’s welfare.

    Christian Democratic MP, Fred Nile has called once again for alcohol to be completely banned from parliament house. He went on to say, according to an article on Smh.com.au:

    “There’s a fridge in every member’s office,” Reverend Nile said. “Sometimes when I see the doors open they’re full of grog. You could drink all day if you had a problem.”

    Reverend Nile said his repeated calls to ban alcohol in parliament had fallen on deaf ears because “we’ve got a strong core of drinkers”.

    “Parliament is an industrial workplace and it’s banned in other workplaces,” he said. “All government employees, such as police and train drivers, are banned from drinking at work – except the employers [MPs]”.

    Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/call-for-mps-to-be-bound-by-alcohol-code-of-conduct-20130603-2nlal.html

    According to reports MP Pearce was inebriated during a marathon sitting of the upper house which ended at 4am on Thursday, which resulted in him having to be excused before the debate concluded.

    Although the MP denies having been drunk, claiming he had only a few drinks at a party fundraiser the evening before, the MP said he was merely “exhausted”. Premier O’Farrell said in a statement that he warned Mr Pearce that a repeat of this behaviour would result in him being fired. O’Farrell went on to explain that politicians and MPs in particular are expected to “meet community expectations” including in the workplace, this is complicated when MPs are under the influence of alcohol.

    The post on Smh.com.au goes on to explain:

    The incident has renewed focus on the issue of MPs’ access to alcohol at parliament and the appropriateness of long sitting hours.

    The staff bar on Level 7 of parliament house provides heavily discounted alcohol to MPs, parliamentary staff and press gallery journalists. MPs also have access to cheap alcohol with meals in the parliamentary dining room and in their offices.

    Last year, the shadow treasurer, Michael Daley, apologized to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Shelley Hancock, after an altercation in parliament during which he was accused of being drunk.

    Mr Daley admitted to “having a couple of drinks” but denied being inebriated when ejected from the chamber after the altercation at 2.30am during a debate over changes to workers’ compensation laws.

    At the time, Mr O’Farrell yelled: “Can you find a sober speaker on that side?”

    Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/call-for-mps-to-be-bound-by-alcohol-code-of-conduct-20130603-2nlal.html

     

  • Binge Drinking Death Toll Too High

    I recently came across an article on the British Guardians website which highlighted the extremely high death toll attributed to binge drinking.

    According to the article in 2011-2012 there were over 1.2 million alcohol related hospital admissions in England, which is more than double the admissions a decade ago.

    There has also been a wopping 500 per cent increase in deaths from liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse in the last 4 decades in that country. These problematic drinking trends are largely mimicked in countries such as Australia, where similar binge drinking problems have been identified.

    Alcohol costs the British economy around £25bn each year (more than Aus$39billion) because of the huge impact on health, crime, societal woes, workplace and family problems. It has also been found to further entrench health and social inequalities.

    These are some of the other findings, as reported on www.guardian.co.uk

    The most socially and economically deprived have up to 10 times greater alcohol-related mortality and admissions to hospital. Approximately a third of all A&E attendances are alcohol-related, reaching up to 80% at weekends. Something has to be done.

    Traditionally, we associate alcohol-related harm with the middle-aged, and it is true that this age group, especially men, have the highest rates of liver disease. However, liver specialists are now caring for teenagers with cirrhosis, or life-threatening necrosis of the pancreas, after just five years of sustained, heavy binge drinking.

    Young women are especially vulnerable, since they have less body water than men, resulting in higher blood alcohol concentrations for the same amount of alcohol drunk. I have seen five women in their 20s die from cirrhosis due to alcohol.

    Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/03/alcohol-killing-many-minimum-unit-pricing

    The article also describes the risks of heavy drinking on the health of drinkers, which includes high blood pressure, increased risk of strokes and developing cancer. There are extremely high and unacceptable numbers of young people, still in the 30s with permanent alcohol induced brain damage according to the article. These people require long term, supervised care which in addition to be highly expensive, there is a major shortage of.

    Over the last decade an ease of availability of alcohol has led to increased abuse and subsequent social problems. Whereas before people went to a bar or pub to buy alcohol, now they need only venture as far as their local supermarket, where also is also being discounted so that customers are more encouraged to buy. Just like in Oz were a bottle of water can cost more than alcohol, alcohol in Britain is cheaper than bottled water and is almost 45 per cent more affordable now than it was in the early eighties.

    The article goes on to explain:

    The introduction of a 50p minimum unit price in England could bring a nearly 7% reduction in average alcohol consumption and prevent more than 3,000 alcohol-related deaths and 98,000 hospital admissions each year. In addition, it could reduce annual alcohol-related crimes by more than 40,000, including 10,500 violent crimes.

    In British Columbia in Canada, a 10% increase in alcohol prices led to a 32% reduction in alcohol-related deaths and a 22% fall in the consumption of higher strength beers.

    Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/03/alcohol-killing-many-minimum-unit-pricing

     

  • USA Legislation to be passed about Calorie content on Liquor Bottles

    Are you aware of how many calories your favourite alcoholic drink contains? Would it surprise you to learn that one standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate or that a pint of beer can have as many or more calories than a packet of crisps? Most people don’t consider the fact that with regular drinking at a high rate, drinkers can notice a significant increase in their weight.

    Drinking in moderation is the best way of overcoming weight gain caused by excessive drinking. That means not exceeding the daily recommended amount for males and females and also not drinking heavily every day but leaving at least a 48 hour gap between heavy drinking sessions, however reading the calorific content of alcohol can help drinkers make the right choices.

    In the USA legislation has been tabled that will see alcoholic beverages getting nutritional labels like those seen on food packaging, however this will only apply if producers want this information conveyed to consumers, in other words it is not going to be mandatory.

    This article from http://latino.foxnews.com explains:

    For the first time, the Treasury Department, which regulates alcohol, said beer, wine and spirits companies can use labels that include serving size, servings per container, calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat per serving. Such package labels have never before been approved.

    However since the labels are voluntary, it will be up to beverage companies to decide whether to use them on their products.

    Source: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2013/06/03/calorie-count-and-nutrition-labels-may-soon-be-required-on-all-bottled-alcohol/

    The ruling would allow the labels to declare alcohol content as a percentage of alcohol by volume, the approach favoured by the beer industry as well as display calorie content on the label.

    Making better choices:

    • If you are weight conscious, control your calorie intake by alternating one alcoholic drink with a glass of water, this helps the drinker stay hydrated and also limits the number of alcoholic drinks you consume in a night.
    • Never ever drink alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach and if you do intend on snacking while drinking, which is recommended, choose healthier options rather than unhealthy, greasy options which normally accompany a night of drinking such as crisps, chips, burgers and other fast foods.
    • Eat a healthier dinner before you start drinking rather than drink on an empty stomach. Order or cook before you start drinking so you’re not tempted to go for the less healthy options once you start downing alcohol.
    • Pace yourself by taking small sips and again don’t feel pressurized into keeping up with your friends. Drink at a pace that you are comfortable with and avoid binge drinking.
    • Remember just because something is labelled “light” doesn’t mean it won’t make you drunk and it also doesn’t mean that it is “fat free” – drink in moderation and responsibly to ensure that you do not suffer weight gain or become overly intoxicated by alcohol.

     

  • 6 Die in Iran from Homemade Alcohol

    Yet another 6 people have lost their lives after drinking home-made alcohol. This time 4 Iranians died in Southern Iran and another 298 people were poisoned.

    Nine of the people poisoned are now in a coma and have lost their vision and an additional 100 are on dialysis after drinking the home-made concoction last week.

    All of the victims were males under the age of 27 years old and it is thought that Iran’s law banning alcohol is the cause of the poisoning because people make their own alcohol at home illegally.

    The consumption of alcohol has been outlawed in the country since 1979 and anyone caught violating the laws can be imprisoned or lashed. Only certain communities within the country are allowed to discreetly make and consume alcohol in order to not offend Islamic traditionalists.

    According to reports around 60 to 80 million litres of alcohol are smuggled into Iran every year and countless amounts are made illegal at home.

    Surprisingly despite the country’s law, there are thousands of alcoholics living in Iran who fuel the home made alcohol industry. Home distilled spirits are cheaper than foreign imported alcohols but the use of poisonous industrial chemicals in its production can prove fatal.

    This post from LasVegasSun.com details what happened:

    Six Iranians have died and 348 have been sickened after drinking poisonous alcohol in the southeastern Kerman province.

    The semi-official ISNA news agency on Saturday quoted a medical official, Dr. Hamid Najmeddin, as saying that three people remained in critical condition at the hospital’s intensive care unit.

    Najmeddin says 67 others were also in hospital in the provincial capital of Rafsanjan. He says 75 people poisoned in Rafsanjan and 109 sickened elsewhere in Kerman province had to undergo dialysis but were later released from hospital.

    Most had consumed the bad alcohol on Wednesday.

    Drinking alcohol is illegal and considered sinful under Islamic law in Iran. However, homemade brews tend to be cheap and available on the black market.

    Source: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jun/01/ml-iran-alcohol-poisoning/#axzz2V3tj69xX

    Anyone travelling abroad should be aware of the dangers of illegally produced alcohol. Just recently a British woman died while backpacking through the Indonesian jungle because of poisoned alcohol which she had bought from a shop in the jungle. Incidents like this are not uncommon in developing countries because it is cheaper to produce alcohol using industrial chemicals.

    Even though it is unlikely that we will encounter fake alcohol in Oz, we should still be careful when purchasing alcohol, especially when travelling overseas make sure you know what you’re drinking and that you are buying a sealed bottle from a reputable place.

    The substances the criminals usually make fake alcohol with are poisonous, including chemicals such as cleaning fluids, nail polish remover, isopropanol and methanol. People are often fooled by these fakes because they give off the same feeling as normal alcohol at first, but it’s only a matter of time before the effects turn bad, usually starting with a loss of eye sight.