PREGNANCY WARNING LABELS ON ALCOHOL TO BE MANDATORY IN AUSTRALIA AND NZ
PREGNANCY WARNING LABELS ON ALCOHOL TO BE MANDATORY IN AUSTRALIA AND NZ Source: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/ by Edith Hancock 17th July, 2020 “Pregnancy warning” labels on alcohol sold in New Zealand and Australia will be mandatory within three years. The Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation accepted new standards proposed by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand this […]
Strip Club Escapes $800K Verdict In Alcohol Overserving Case
Strip Club Escapes $800K Verdict In Alcohol Overserving Case Source: https://www.law360.com/ By Daniel Siegal July 17, 2020 An Arizona appeals court has tossed a jury’s $800,000 verdict against a strip club accused of overserving alcohol to a patron who later killed two people in an auto collision, ruling that the club’s liability ended when the […]
People in affluent neighborhoods drink alcohol more frequently, study finds
People in affluent neighborhoods drink alcohol more frequently, study finds Source: https://www.news-medical.net/ Jul 13 2020 People in wealthier neighborhoods drink alcohol twice as frequently as people in poorer areas, suggests a new study from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. […]
How Alcohol Regulations Promote Public Health Source: Public Action Management, PLC July 14, 2020 Alcohol regulations are designed to promote safe and healthy places for patrons to eat, drink, socialize and enjoy entertainment. Unfortunately, we don’t always know how that is done. The regulations are even more important today as we face concerns about the COVID-19 virus spreading. A review of these regulations and how they work to promote public health and safety can help staff be diligent about maintaining a licensed premise’s responsibilities. As the World Health Organization notes, “Alcohol alters your thoughts, judgement, decision-making and behavior.” Intoxication is the primary issue, Alcohol regulations are primarily designed to reduce the problems associated with intoxication. Intoxicated patrons may take more risks and be less cautious about social distancing and other requirements designed to prevent the spread of disease. And, according to the Mayo Clinic, “Excessive alcohol use can make it harder for your body to resist disease, increasing your risk of various illnesses, especially pneumonia.” Finally, intoxication is associated with aggression and violence. According to a Community Oriented Policing Services publication, “Alcohol contributes to violence by limiting drinker’s perceived options during a conflict, heightening their emotionality, increasing their willingness to take risks, reducing their fear of sanction and impairing their ability to talk their way out of trouble”. Here are some ways regulations reduce intoxication: Sale to intoxicated patrons Most states prohibit the sale of alcohol to a patron who has become intoxicated. While it is very important not to serve such patrons, it can be difficult to determine intoxication when crowds are large and milling around. In addition, it can be a delicate matter to cut someone off who has had too much to drink. A licensee may want to review the signs of intoxication and discuss ways to cut patrons off in a diplomatic way emphasizing a concern for health and safety. Many states provide a list of signs of intoxication on a website. (In the list of sources, there is a link to the Texas Alcohol Beverage Control website description of intoxication signs.) Food service It is well known that food can ameliorate the intoxicating impact of alcohol. In fact, some states require food service for certain classes of licenses, especially when they serve more potent alcohol products. For example, Oregon’s Constitution only allows spirits to be sold by the drink in places where food is cooked and served. As part of the COVID regulations, some states have only allowed the opening of bars and restaurants which sell food. To curtail intoxication and gain additional revenue, a premise might want to more proactively promote food service as well as the sale of non-alcoholic beverages. There are now good tasting non-alcoholic beers available and bartenders can make exotic drinks that have little or no alcohol. Hours of operation Most states have required closing hours. This is a recognition that the longer a patron is in a drinking establishment, the higher the chance they will become intoxicated. Although the most common closing hour is 2 am, many states have loosened closing hours over the years particularly in “night life districts.” But, as states have confronted instances of COVID infections, they have curtailed operating hours. Good management A final consideration is management. A licensee is responsible for operating a safe and healthy premise. This requires strong and capable management. A licensee that hires competent people, has good policies, trains staff to implement the policies and rewards good behavior rarely has problems. While COVID-19 has caused many disruptions to all industries including alcohol related businesses, the need to enforce laws is arguably stronger because keeping public health strong is at the core of alcohol regulation. As a former regulator has recently noted, “Alcohol regulations need to be enforced, not scuttled due to the COVID pandemic.”
How Alcohol Regulations Promote Public Health Source: Public Action Management, PLC July 14, 2020 Alcohol regulations are designed to promote safe and healthy places for patrons to eat, drink, socialize and enjoy entertainment. Unfortunately, we don’t always know how that is done. The regulations are even more important today as we face concerns about the […]
Japanese robot to clock in at a convenience store in test of retail automation
Japanese robot to clock in at a convenience store in test of retail automation Source: https://www.reuters.com/ Tim Kelly July 16, 2020 In August, a robot vaguely resembling a kangaroo will begin stacking sandwiches, drinks and ready meals on shelves at a Japanese convenience store in a test its maker, Telexistence, hopes will help trigger a […]
Teens are dressing up as mask-wearing grandmas to try to score alcohol
Teens are dressing up as mask-wearing grandmas to try to score alcohol Source: https://nypost.com/ By Marisa Dellatto July 14, 2020 In a pandemic, no one knows you’re underage. That’s what Gen Z has discovered as they’ve updated the fake ID for the COVID-19 era, hitting up liquor stores dressed as elderly grandmas wearing coronavirus face […]
Should We Be Drinking Less?
Should We Be Drinking Less? Scientists helping to update the latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are taking a harder stance on alcohol. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/ By Anahad O’Connor July 10, 2020 Can a daily drink or two lead to better health? For many years, the federal government’s influential dietary guidelines implied as much, […]
Is safety affordable? How restaurant operators are factoring PPE into their budgets
Is safety affordable? How restaurant operators are factoring PPE into their budgets From masks and face shields to table dividers and thermometers, restaurants are facing new budget needs as workplaces deal with coronavirus Source: https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/ Joanna Fantozzi Jul 10, 2020 Before COVID-19 began to completely reshape the restaurant industry, personal protective equipment, or PPE, was […]
Tennessee: Citing ‘dismal compliance,’ Tennessee panel vows crackdown on restaurant, bar alcohol sales to minors
Tennessee: Citing ‘dismal compliance,’ Tennessee panel vows crackdown on restaurant, bar alcohol sales to minors Source: https://www.timesfreepress.com/ by Andy Sher July 11th, 2020 Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission officials on Friday announced a crackdown to deter what officials say is a growing number of illegal alcohol sales by restaurants and bars to underage customers during the […]
United Kingdom: The socially-distant pub: what drinking could look like this summer
United Kingdom: The socially-distant pub: what drinking could look like this summer Spectator Life By Robert Jackman June 9, 2020 Although the government is playing it safe with its lockdown exit strategy, things really aren’t looking good for pubs. While, efforts are being made to enable al fresco eating and drinking spaces over the summer, […]