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  • NSW Government Releases Fact Sheet for Licensees

    The New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) recently released a fact sheet for liquor licensees detailing the reforms which were passed by Parliament last week Friday. The changes were implemented so swiftly in a large part due to the mounting pressure the government was receiving from the public to act to reduce violence in Sydney’s night life districts.

    The Liquor Amendment Bill 2014 was passed by the NSW Parliament last week amidst strong opposition from licensees and the legal fraternity. The amended laws will introduce a host of measures that are aimed at improving safety in Sydney’s entertainment district by tackling alcohol and drug fuelled violence.

    Although the government has been criticised for moving so swiftly in implementing the new measures, the OLGR said “preparation and consultation is underway to ensure its effective implementation” to allow the industry enough time to adjust the way it does business to incorporate the new measures and establish appropriate changes to its practices and procedures.

    The most notable changes that will apply once the legislation commences includes:

    No take-away liquor after 10pm anywhere in NSW;

    Suspension of the trial of online RSA training;

    The creation of a new Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct;

    “Lock-outs” at 1.30am and “Last drinks” at 3am for some venues in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct and the Kings Cross Precinct;

    A freeze on new liquor licences in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct;

    Temporary and Long-term banning order provisions in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct; and

    Suspension or revocation of an RSA competency card or disqualification of a person from holding an RSA competency card, for staff in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2014/02/03/article/NSW-liquor-laws-Fact-sheet-for-licensees/EQXWLIBZWY.html

    The strict new measures targeting drug and alcohol fuelled violence will officially begin on February 24th 2014 – giving licensees little time to adapt, many of which say their business will suffer severe negative financial implications which may not allow their businesses to survive. Others welcomed the new measures which they believed would help attract the right customers and keep the wrong element out of their venues.

    Some of the other measures to implemented include an annual risk-based licensing fee scheme for liquor licenses and additional special licence conditions on venues in the district as determined as the article on TheShout.com.au goes on to explain

    Development of a plan of management for the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct, which will impose additional special licence conditions on venues in the Precinct

    An annual risk-based licensing fee scheme for liquor licences.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2014/02/03/article/NSW-liquor-laws-Fact-sheet-for-licensees/EQXWLIBZWY.html

    The OLGR said it will continue to notify affected liquor licensees and other key stakeholders of developments, including the commencement date of each of the reforms.

    In the meantime night time revellers can expect 1.30am alcohol lockouts and 3am last drinks while the whole of NSW will have a ban on takeaway alcohol after 10pm as of the 24th of this month.

  • British Study Claims Alcohol more dangerous than Heroine

    A controversial new study originating in the UK claims that alcohol is more dangerous than heroine and causes more harm.

    Alcohol is even more harmful than heroin and crack according to the study published in the British medical journal, The Lancet.

    The experts involved in the study examined a variety of social, physical and psychological problems that associated with drugs and alcohol and the results showed that alcohol caused the most harm to others. Illicit drugs such as heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine are the most harmful to individual users.

    The study took into consideration twenty drugs and scored them on 16 criteria, including the harms drugs do to the user and the harms they do to others. The drugs were each given a score out of 100 points and alcohol proved to be the most dangerous with 72 points out of 100. Heroine came in second with 55 points and crack cocaine came in third with 54 points.

    According to the study cocaine and tobacco are equally harmful and the least harmful drugs are LSD and ecstasy.

    The report was made more controversial by the fact that it’s co-author was Professor David Nutt who last year claimed that riding a horse was more dangerous than taking ecstasy.

    There are millions of people who have alcohol problems, in the UK and Oz but because alcohol is legal and easy to access, most people don’t realise that it can lead to addiction when abused and can affect their health and safety. One addiction experts explains:

    But because alcohol is legal and easy to access, many people don’t think it is a problem for them, says addiction expert Dr. Jeffrey Parsons, chair of the psychology department at Hunter College.

    “It is legal and socially sanctioned, so it does not carry the same stigma and issues that illegal drugs do,”he says. “But the negative health consequences of alcohol are even greater than with many illegal drugs.”

    Drinkers tend to equate “legal” with “safe,” but that’s not necessarily the case, says Lebanon Valley College psychology professor Lou Manza. “In the general public’s mind, because you can go and buy alcohol in the store, it is okay,”he said.

    Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/alcohol-harmful-heroin-crack-study-article-1.455003#ixzz2sr8GmRT8

    Experts explain that the one major difference between alcohol and illicit drugs is that there is a “safe level” for most people when it comes to alcohol but even one hit of an illicit drug can be dangerous. Men shouldn’t have more 2 drinks daily and women should stick to one a day if they wish to avoid harm, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t drink every day. The following excerpt explains:

    “It’s not the same with nicotine,” Levounis says. “We have not been able to find a low threshold under which smoking cigarettes is safe. There’s no such thing.”

    Alcohol dependence tends to be masked more often than dependence upon other drugs, Parsons says. “With alcohol, someone can feel like a law abiding citizen despite the fact that they’re abusing a drug,” he told The News.

    Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/alcohol-harmful-heroin-crack-study-article-1.455003#ixzz2sr8GmRT8

     

  • Financial Toll of Excessive Alcohol Consumption

    Although we often hear of the damage done by alcohol abuse to the community and people in general, we seldom consider the huge financial toll of excessive drinking and problem drinking on the economy and on individuals.

    According to a recent American based study, the toll of excessive drinking in the United States is about American $2 per drink (Aus $2.22). It may seem like a small figure but when you consider the amount of alcohol that is consumed, altogether it is a staggering amount and this is just the cost of the expenses caused as a result of drinking not including the cost of the drink itself.

    According to the study conducted by the CDC (Centres for Disease Control), the $2 is accounted for by medical expenses and other costs to society.

    The study by the CDC calculated the societal costs of binge drinking and heavy drinking, excluding what consumers actually pay at the liquor store or licenced venue.

    The study also took into consideration lost productivity at work, property damage from car crashes, expenditures for liver cirrhosis and other alcohol-associated medical problems as well as the money spent on incarceration of drunk drivers and criminals using alcohol. Although the study relates to figures in the U.S it can be compared to the cost of drinking in Oz. The following excerpt from an article on New York Daily News website I found quite informative,

    The CDC estimated excessive drinking cost society nearly $224 billion in 2006, the most recent year for which all necessary statistics were available. That worked out to about $1.90 per drink, 80 cents of which was spent by federal, state or local governments, the researchers estimated. The rest came from drinkers, their families, private health insurers, employers, crime victims and others.

    Most of that was related to binge drinking, in which four or five alcoholic beverages are consumed on one occasion.

    “Binge drinking results in binge spending,” said CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden.

    Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/toll-excessive-drinking-works-2-drink-medical-expenses-societal-costs-article-1.964157#ixzz2sr7uKTi3

    The study’s officials also noted a very important point which drinkers should keep in mind – drinking in moderation can have health benefits whereas none have been associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

    Drinkers should remember that when they drink excessively the costs involved are more than those associated with the actual cost of the bottle of wine or can of beer, there are numerous indirect costs and these costs are exaggerated when drinking is done in excess. The article on NYDailyNews.com explains further:

    CDC officials noted that while some health benefits have been associated with, say, a glass of wine each day, there are no health benefits linked to excessive drinking. They also said the new study likely represents an underestimate of the total cost.

    Smoking has been estimated to cost society about $193 billion annually. An older study estimated the cost of not exercising to be around $150 billion.

    Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/toll-excessive-drinking-works-2-drink-medical-expenses-societal-costs-article-1.964157#ixzz2sr7uKTi3

     

  • Dubbo Police Break-up Wild Alcohol Filled Party

    Undoubtedly the people most at risk of being the victims of alcohol fuelled harm as well the biggest perpetrators are young people.

    A man was arrested at Narromine after assaulting a police officer and an out-of-control part involving more than 100 people had to be broken up.

    According to reports police were generally satisfied with the behaviour of the general public during Operation Unite but some young people are still exhibiting dangerous drinking behaviour, placing themselves at risk and becoming a menace to others.

    During the operation one man, an 18 year old was arrested after he became violent with a police officer, wrestling him to ground and striking the officer before being taken to the police station. This excerpt explains:

    After striking the officer the man was wrestled to the ground and arrested before being taken to Narromine Police Station and charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, failing to comply and breaching bail for an unrelated issue.

    The man appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Sunday and was given bail with conditions. The officer suffered minor facial injuries.

    Less than 24 hours earlier police were called to a residence in Fairview Street for reports of an out-of-control party and underage drinking. Police attended and found about 50 to 60 teenagers present.

    Officers were abused and bottles were thrown at police. Additional police were called and the crowd was dispersed with no arrests made.

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    Orana Local Area Command Operation Unite Commander Gemini Bakos said that the incidents were the only really major concerns during the blitz by police officers. This year’s operations yielded much better results than last year with fewer arrests being made.

    Police in Dubbo arrested 4 people during the operation but not all of these arrests were linked to alcohol. The DailyLiberal.coom.au post also explains:

    An additional 21 officers were on duty between 6pm Friday and 6am yesterday when the operation concluded. During that time, police in the city visited 50 licensed premises and issued four people with infringements for failing to comply.

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    It is interesting that a total of 323 random breath tests were issued and only one person was caught drink driving, this shows improvement in the city in alcohol behaviour and that people are becoming more responsible drinkers.

    Commander Bakos went on to explain:

    “It’s been a successful operation. It’s good to see the public has taken the message on board about responsible drinking,” Inspector Bakos said. “We had a really good police presence and that was effective. It was good to get around to all the licensed premises and talk to licensees and security personnel.”

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    According to the article, during the weekend of the operation across the state of NSW 540 arrests were made and 1062 charges were laid. Common assaults and people drinking past intoxication were the greatest concerns.

    Another issue being tackled by authorities during Operation Unite was drink driving. Across NSW 40.000 people underwent random breath tests.

  • Campaign urges parents not to give their children alcohol

    The issue of parents giving alcohol to their underage children has once again come under the spotlight.

    This time the Western Australian state government is urging parents to think about the dangers of underage drinking before supplying alcohol to their children.

    The state government has launched a new campaign which will feature on the radio, television as well as print advertisements and will highlight the effects of alcohol on the brain of young people. This follows research which reveals that a disturbingly high number of young people are obtaining alcohol from their parents.

    The following is an excerpt from a post on Abc.net.au which explains more about the campaign and the government’s warnings:

    The State Government has launched a new campaign warning parents about the dangers of supplying alcohol to children.

    The television, radio and print advertisements highlight the effects alcohol has on brain development in young people.

    The government says the latest data shows almost a third of young people got their last alcoholic drink from their parents.

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-10/alcohol-ads/5081760

    There is an overwhelming body of evidence which proves that alcohol can be damaging to the developing brain of a teenager, yet many parents fail to recognise the risks and continue to provide their children and their children’s friends with alcohol.

    Either parents are too ignorant of the risks to their children ‘s health or they are trying to teach their teens to drink responsibly however the problem with this approach is that it fails to recognise that even moderate amounts of alcohol can damage the brain of a young people, most times irreversibly.

    The post also goes on to explain:

    The Mental Health Minister Helen Morton says the evidence that alcohol can damage a young person’s brain and body is clear.

    Mrs Morton says the advertisements coincide with end-of-school year celebrations, when some parents consider providing alcohol for their children.

    “I believe parents haven’t had the awareness or the understanding around the impacts of alcohol and the damage it can cause to young people’s brains and bodies,” she said

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-10/alcohol-ads/5081760

    I am reminded of a recent study discussed in an article on British website Dailymail.co.uk which detailed the findings of a study conducted by psychologist, Dr Aric Sigman.

    Dr. Sigman explained that delaying alcohol introduction to children is best because alcohol can do long lasting neurological damage to their developing brains and bodies.

    The psychologist has appealed to British parents and parents across the EU to refrain from giving their children alcohol until they are of 18 years old age. In fact he believes people shouldn’t drink until they are 25.He also explained that the earlier in life a child begins drinking, the more likely they are to develop a drinking problem.

    Sigman warned parents that for the health of their children they should wait till their children are at least 16 before they introduce them to alcohol at home. Obviously it is best to wait till teenagers are of legal drinking age (18 in Oz) before allowing them to drink alcohol but those parents who want to teach their children responsible drinking should not do so until they are at least 16.

    For more on Sigman’s research read the full post at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2320218/Under-18s-banned-having-ANY-alcohol-Warning-attempts-introduce-children-drinking-risks-turning-alcoholic-later-life.html

     

  • How to Avoid Binge Drinking this Weekend

    So you’re planning an evening out with your mates but usually an evening out means an evening of binge drinking and nothing but regrets the next morning.

    Most people don’t intend to get hammered on a night out but once you down your first few drinks, it’s like you can’t say no, somehow alcohol helps us lose our inhibitions and leaves us worse for wear the next morning. So how do we avoid excessively drinking and just enjoy one or two drinks without it turning into an all-out binge? Here are a few pointers on how to drink moderately and responsibly:

    • Lose bad company. The old saying about birds of feather really is true when it comes to habits like binge drinking. The biggest cause of binge drinking is culture and peers. Most people drink because all their friends drink and when we go out especially on the weekend, we tend to want to get intoxicated together, not many people enjoy getting drunk alone, unless they have a drinking problem. So lose the bad company until you are strong enough to say no and drink according to your own limits. Remember what your friends can handle may not necessarily be what you can handle.
    • Be extra cautious when you are drowning your sorrows or when you are celebrating. Make sure that you are in control and aware that you may be using alcohol to feel better. Be mindful as you can end up feeling even more depressed when it wears off. If you suspect that you are possibly depressed and not coping, then seek advice and help instead of masking it with drinking. If you are drinking to cope with a setback be responsible and arrange safe transport home.
    • Consciously monitor the amount of alcohol you consume on a night out. Make it a rule and a habit to have a glass of water in between every drink and eat a hearty meal before drinking. Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. If you are a woman, make sure that you are consuming less than your male friends because it takes less to get you drunk than it does them.
    • Remember that we get very thirsty when we drink because alcohol is a diuretic and the trick is to drink water. If we don’t, we tend to drink more alcohol to quench the thirst, making the problem worse.
    • Have “small” drinks and dilute in as much soda or water as you can. Find the drink that you enjoy the taste of and sip it. If it is a wine or beer and if your chosen drink is a spirit, dilute it in water or soda, this will keep the added sugar content down.
    • If drinking with a group of friends, make sure there is a designated driver that doesn’t drink even one drink. Not only can this person drive you home but they can look out for your safety and wellbeing while you drink. They can also monitor how much you drink and help you stick to your limits because they are thinking clearly whereas you will probably not be after a few drinks.

  • Starting Your Own Bar

     

    It is a dream of many to own their own bar or nightclub. Why not own the place that you go to every weekend. But it can be a costly exercise for those who don’t do their homework. We provide some helpful hints from a variety of sources on how to successfully open your own bar.

     

     

    New bars & nightclubs only get one shot at success.

     

    Every customer that comes through your doors is crucial & you need them to return. It is of vital importance that your venue is ready for success from day 1.

     

    Most bars fail in the first 12 months of opening because they don’t have an adequate plan in place.
    It is important to remember you are not just opening a bar but operating a business. The first priority is to come up with a concept for your bar then like any business, you require a Business Plan.

    source: http://www.entertainoz.com.au/article-detailview.cfm?aid=14908

     

     

    Writing a business plan and considering all the things that are needed for a successful bar is essential to get it right. The Australian Government has guidelines for small business owners.

    Depending on what type of business you intend to start, your business plan could include these elements:* executive summary – a one-page overview written after your business plan is finalised* introduction – explains the purpose and objectives of going into business* marketing analysis – looks at the industry you are entering and how you fit in* marketing plan – your marketing strategy* operations plan – how you’ll set up the business, i.e. structure, location, regulations* management plan – how you’ll manage your business* financial plan – how you’ll finance your business, costing and financial projections.Business planning is an ongoing business activity – you should regularly review and revise your business plan.

    source: http://www.business.gov.au/Howtoguides/Thinkingofstartingabusiness/Pages/HowdoIwriteabusinessplan.aspx

     

     

     

    Marketing your bar is also going to be very important. If you are set on being the only owner then it will be all up to you. But consider what this very successful bar owner did

     

     


    What was your most successful marketing exercise?    Easily our most successful marketing exercise was our very first. We took 20 investors into the Commercial Club Hotel. They had stakes ranging from $500 up to tens of thousands. Every one of them ‘owned’ the hotel. They were a marketing machine! Most were young and excited, and inspired by the chance to be involved in something so fun and so different. They filled our venue week after week after week.

    source: http://anthillonline.com/how-to-open-a-bar/

     

     

    Sometimes it can be hard to know how to start a bar, so check out the video below on how to do it! The video is primarily related to the US, but a lot of the information can be translated to Australia.

     

     

    Starting your own bar in Australia also means that you need your RSA Certificate, obtained through the RSA Course, so get online and get started today!

     

  • The RSA Certificate – Bar Tips for Identifying The Regulars

    The RSA Certificate will not give you the charm of a perfect bar tender, that is something that you have to get on your own! But it is also very important when working in a bar or a restaurant/club. This is not just because regulars put a lot of money into your place of work , it is also because it is these people who will bring the business to you. If a regular ever wants to have an event or have a few people around for a drink, they will use the club or pub that they know best, which is hopefully yours. This means that the regulars and you have to have a good trust between each other so that you mutually understand that you will treat each other well! So the trust that is built is an essential strut to supporting the business. But in addition, regulars will spread the word about your bar if they think it is good enough (you have to show them that!). So better than any form of advertising and marketing, is viral marketing where one person simply spreads the word to another person about your bar! And it works charms!

    So How Do I Build This Trust? Won’t Come With The RSA Certificate!

    The trust that you need to build with regulars is not something that will come with the RSA Certificate, you have to build it on your own. So the first step is to have a drink you do really well, something that someone will come back for a lot. The next step is to identify who is coming back for particular drinks each time. And the final step is really, just to get to know them! The best way to create an impression is to remember their name as well. You do this and they will remember yours. At this point you will start to develop a friendship and will be able to keep the regulars coming back. But one thing that you need to do is make sure that you serve a drink particularly well, so that they know when to come back if looking for you and a drink you do well!

    Before Any Of This, Get Your RSA Certificate!

    Before you start to work in a bar or even apply to work in one, you first need to complete the RSA Course and get the RSA Certificate! This will allow you to work in any liquor serving establishment around Australia, so you open yourself up to a whole new range of job opportunities. Get started today!

     

  • Some Good Places To Look For Alcohol Blogs!

     

    It can sometimes be hard to look for useful information on alcohol and drinking it, and while the Responsible Service Of Alcohol Onlinecourse will give you information on the safety side of drinking it, you might want some more information on other aspects of the culture. So to point you in the right direction initially, you should check out some of these sites as they give good info on different drinks LOUNGERATI THE FIRST FIVE NIGHTLIFE PR ::|:: DC NIGHTLIF UMAMIMART DRINKBOSTON.COM DRINKS FOR THE HOUSE Keep in mind that some of these sites might advise you to drink in large quantities, while the Queensland RSA Course, or any course really would advise you against doing this kind of binge drinking as it can be dangerous and potentially end badly. But by all means have a gander at these blogs and see if they have any useful or interesting information for you!

  • When I Get My RSA Certificate Where Should I Work? and Should I Serve Food?

    Before you get to work in a bar and decide whether you want to serve food or not, you need to complete the RSA Training Course and get your QLD RSA Certificate, or any states certificate. There may be several questions you will be asking yourself when completing the RSA Course online, and one may be what exactly you want to do with the RSA Certificate. The fact of the matter is that there are several things you can do with the certificate, and they are all fairly rewarding. Check out the list below of places you can work, and use the information on the work environment to decide if you really want to be working there.

    At The Bottle – O. After getting your RSA Certificate

    The bottle-o, or bottle shop/liquor retailer is the first place that you can work once you get the RSA Certificate, and working at these shops means that you don’t so much have to be involved in an atmosphere or watch how much people drink. But you do have to be able to look for people who are underage, using a fake ID, or are buying alcohol for other people who are underage. So if you would like to get into the industry and learn all the different types of beer/drinks, without getting into a full on bar/club atmosphere, then this may be the place for you.

    At a Bar – with your RSA Certificate

    A bar usually goes with an atmosphere that is either full on, or laid back; and some you will find are in between. So this can be a perfect place for you to work, as you can choose the kind of atmosphere you would like to work in. But be cautious, jobs don’t grow on trees so working in the bar industry often means that you don’t have a lot of choice when it comes to the bar you want to work in!

    At a Club – with your RSA Certificate

    A club can be one of the harder places to work in with the RSA Certificate, as it is harder to tell who has been drinking too much and often requires some practice. In addition, clubs have some long hours and can mean a tiring work environment. On the other hand they are fun and social, so if this is your element, then start applying for jobs in this industry!

    So Should I Be Serving Food in My Bar?

    It may not seem like too big of a question to ask, a bar either serves food or it doesn’t, right? Well you will learn in the RSA Course that food can often be a good thing to help keep people sober, as it soaks up the alcohol in your stomach and helps keep you sober…ish. While you may think that serving food is not really a choice that is up to you as a staff member, but it is often the suggestions of the staff that get implemented by management. This is because you on the forefront of the business know how it works best!

    So How Do I Know If I Need To Serve Food?

    The first thing you will want to look at is what time your bar/club opens or closes on a regular basis, and more importantly, what time do most people come in to start drinking? By looking at these factors you can tell whether you will need to serve food or not. If you find that people are mostly coming in early and getting way too drunk, then this might simply be because they do not have enough food in them to allow them to get appropriately drunk. They may think that they can have a few drinks and be okay, but they do not consider that they have not eaten. In this sense, you have to consider it, and be aware of just how much they are REALLY drinking and being affected by. Another reason that you may want to serve food is that serving food can mean that you can relatively keep people sober when they need to be. If you see someone is far too drunk, then you can encourage them to have some food and water to sober them up. As the RSA Certificate course teaches you to look for signs they are too drunk, and then use a few ways to sober them up or send them home. So serving food can be a good medium for people that don’t want to go home and don’t want to stop drinking.

    Grab Your RSA Certificate Today!

    By going online and completing the RSA Certificate course, you are allowing yourself to serve responsibly at a bar/club/restaurant or even a liquor store. This means you know techniques of how to keep people relatively sober and having a good time. So get started today!