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Title – Binge Drinkers ‘risking dementia’Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 1st November 2008
It is important to clarify that ultimately responsibility for alcohol consumption lies with the consumer themselves, but both government and the drinks industry have to play their part in educating people and promoting Responsible Alcohol Retailing.
The first step in this process is to make all staff working in the Licensed Retail Sector aware of the effects of chronic drinking or alcoholism and what is now universally referred to as ‘binge drinking’. It is important that not only do they realise the concept of these different types of excessive alcohol consumption, but the effects that they can have on the consumer.
The licensed retail sector alone however can only have a limited effect on resolving the health difficulties associated with the countries drinking patterns, it has to be a co-operative approach. It is for this reason that I am always very sceptical about a legislative approach. Further legislation only increases the costs to the industry, squeezing margins further leading to greater competition which has generally made alcohol cheaper over the last 10 years rather than more expensive, as more people fight for fewer consumers. Besides does anyone really believe that banning happy hours will stop alcoholics…? Is binge drinking going to disappear over-night or are people going to be even more inclined to ‘pre-load’ at home in an uncontrolled environment…?
Has any consideration been given to who is going to enforce this new legislation? Licensing officers are already so stretched and underfunded they are often unable to act proactively under current legislation, adding further regulation is hardly going to make that situation any better.
There has to be a co-operative approach and each group involved has to act swiftly.
As an industry we need more training, we have to make sure that everyone involved in the sale of alcohol understands the effects of alcohol in the short term and the long term. By understanding these effects, alcohol retailers are much more likely to act in a more responsible manner. At Beyond The Blue, many of our courses include sessions on the effect of alcohol consumption on short and long term health. Courses such as the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) and the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) as well as the Certificate in Alcohol Awareness (CAA) and the Professional Barpersons Qualification (PBQ), all have sessions dedicated to the effects of alcohol on the body.
Please visit our website at
www.btbl.co.uk
Title – Binge Drinkers ‘risking dementia’Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 1st November 2008
It is important to clarify that ultimately responsibility for alcohol consumption lies with the consumer themselves, but both government and the drinks industry have to play their part in educating people and promoting Responsible Alcohol Retailing.
The first step in this process is to make all staff working in the Licensed Retail Sector aware of the effects of chronic drinking or alcoholism and what is now universally referred to as ‘binge drinking’. It is important that not only do they realise the concept of these different types of excessive alcohol consumption, but the effects that they can have on the consumer.
The licensed retail sector alone however can only have a limited effect on resolving the health difficulties associated with the countries drinking patterns, it has to be a co-operative approach. It is for this reason that I am always very sceptical about a legislative approach. Further legislation only increases the costs to the industry, squeezing margins further leading to greater competition which has generally made alcohol cheaper over the last 10 years rather than more expensive, as more people fight for fewer consumers. Besides does anyone really believe that banning happy hours will stop alcoholics…? Is binge drinking going to disappear over-night or are people going to be even more inclined to ‘pre-load’ at home in an uncontrolled environment…?
Has any consideration been given to who is going to enforce this new legislation? Licensing officers are already so stretched and underfunded they are often unable to act proactively under current legislation, adding further regulation is hardly going to make that situation any better.
There has to be a co-operative approach and each group involved has to act swiftly.
As an industry we need more training, we have to make sure that everyone involved in the sale of alcohol understands the effects of alcohol in the short term and the long term. By understanding these effects, alcohol retailers are much more likely to act in a more responsible manner. At Beyond The Blue, many of our courses include sessions on the effect of alcohol consumption on short and long term health. Courses such as the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) and the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) as well as the Certificate in Alcohol Awareness (CAA) and the Professional Barpersons Qualification (PBQ), all have sessions dedicated to the effects of alcohol on the body.
Please visit our website at
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