Category: Alcohol Awareness

Four Loko Will Now Label Beverages with “Alcohol Facts”

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The ban on caffeinated alcoholic beverages, also called alcopop, was one of the biggest stories in the beverage service and sales industry in 2010. Popular beverages such as Four Loko were called dangerous, a binge in a can, and worse. The Food and Drug Administration declared alcoholic energy drinks to be a public health concern and concluded that caffeine added to malt alcoholic beverages was an unsafe food additive (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Four Loko removed the caffeine from their beverages to comply with new regulations. Now, the FTC has reached a settlement with Phusion Products, the makers of Four Loko, to take it a step further.

In an effort keep drinkers safe and well informed about how much alcohol they are consuming, cans of Four Loko will now display an “Alcohol Facts” label, similar to a nutritional label, to make it clear they pack a potent punch.

These facts will include the container size, percentage alcohol by volume, number of servings in the container and serving size in fluid ounces (NPR). Additionally, all cans of Four Loko containing more than two-and-a-half servings will also have to be re-sealable. The intent is to help consumers realize that they should not consume the entire can in one sitting. A can of Four Loko contains up to 12% alcohol, and a 23.5 ounce can is equivalent to about four or five standard beers (San Francisco Chronicle). Binge drinking means drinking so much within about 2 hours that blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels reach 0.08g/dL. For women, this usually occurs after about 4 drinks, and for men, after about 5. (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).

This should serve as a reminder to all beverage service professionals to always serve responsibly. Alcopops with colorful packaging and fruity flavors are especially popular with teen drinkers, so servers and sellers should be extra vigilant in checking identification and observing guests.

Resources

© 2013 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Caution – New Device Allows Users to Inhale Alcohol for Quick and Powerful Effects on the Body

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Hospitality JobsAlcohol sales professionals have an obligation to serve alcohol responsibly. As such, any responsible seller of alcoholic beverages should be aware of a new product which hit the shelves in December, the Vaportini™. Working like a traditional vaporizer, this new product heats up alcohol with a votive candle, and releases the vapors into a small chamber which the user inhales through a straw.

There is an increased risk of serious intoxication with this device, especially if used irresponsibly. The Vaportini works by bypassing the digestive system and causing alcohol to be absorbed directly to the bloodstream through the lungs. Normally, when a person consumes an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol is absorbed primarily through the stomach and small intestine. The presence of food slows this process further. Food in the stomach keeps alcohol in the stomach for a longer period of time which means that it will be absorbed into the bloodstream at a much slower rate. This is why it’s advisable to offer your patrons a snack or a meal while they are imbibing. However, when alcohol is inhaled, it enters the lungs and goes directly into the bloodstream, causing effects much more quickly and inducing a powerful buzz.

Worth nothing is that the Vaportini shares some similarities with the Alcohol Without Liquid (AWOL) device, a nebulizer which mixes alcohol with pure oxygen. The AWOL device debuted in 2004 and was quickly banned in over 20 states, including Nevada (Nevada Revised Statutes). Alcohol vaporizers like the AWOL are illegal in Nevada, so make sure you are up to date with your TAM® training, and maintain a thorough knowledge of applicable local and state laws.

The novelty of inhaled alcohol is especially attractive to young adults and teens, especially when the Vaptorini retails at a price of only about $35. Peer pressure is a constant concern among young people. Teens want to fit in, and alcohol is not only easily accessible to many, it can also contribute to the party atmosphere at celebratory events. For additional tips to help combat alcohol consumption among teen drinkers, check out our blog post, “Teen Drinking is a Dangerous Business.”

Are you concerned about the potential dangers of alcohol vaporizers such as the Vaportini?

Resources

© 2013 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Wishes for Safe and Happy Holidays from TAM of Nevada

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TAM CardLas Vegas is a city that knows how to throw a party. Bars and restaurants all across town are preparing for a week of successful and festive holidays promotions. With everyone getting revved up for the holiday season and big holiday parties, what does that mean to you as a server, seller, security officer, operator or establishment owner? You need to be prepared.

  • Servers and sellers should be extra vigilant in checking identification and observing guests. Be sure that your guests are not over-served and are getting enough food and water while they are enjoying their alcoholic beverages. If one of the guests in a group you are serving becomes intoxicated, check with other guests in their group to make sure that they have a safe ride home. If necessary, let any guests know that AAA will offer Tipsy Tow service with a one-way ride to drivers and their vehicles, up to 5 miles, at no cost on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Rest assured that tow service will only be provided to a driver’s home and not to any other drinking establishment or similar location, so you know your patrons will get home safely.
  • Security Professionals should note that big party nights equal higher energy levels, increased levels of excitement and overindulgence. Be visible and interact with your establishment’s guests to defuse potential issues. Be extra diligent when checking IDs to ensure that you keep the underage out of your 21 and over establishment! A recent decoy operation during a “Santa Pub Crawl” in Reno resulted in a 91% compliance rate for establishments checked for selling alcohol to minors, which is great. But, regardless of the impressive compliance rate, there were still establishments which failed the check. Don’t let your guard down this holiday season (KOLO 8 News).

We would love to hear from you! What other recommendations do you have for keeping the holiday celebrations fun and safe for your guests?

TAM® of Nevada is wishing all of our students a safe and happy holiday season and New Year. If you could like to come in for a TAM® Class or proctored exam next week, our holiday hours are as follows:

  • Monday 12/24 and Tuesday 12/25 – CLOSED.
  • Wednesday 12/26 through Friday 12/28 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Classes at 9:00am and 2:00pm.
  • Saturday 12/29 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Class at 9:00am only.
  • Monday 12/31 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Class at 9:00am only.
  • Tuesday 1/1 –CLOSED. We will reopen for regular business hours beginning Wednesday, January 2nd at 8:30am.

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© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Teen Drinking: National Survey Shows That about 75% of Underage Nevadans Do Not Drink

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teen-drinkingA new survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says Nevada comes in just below the national average for underage drinking with roughly 1 in 4 teens admitting to illegally imbibing. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found 24.5% of Nevada residents between the ages of 12 and 20 drank liquor in the previous month.

While Nevada numbers fall below the national underage drinking rate of 26.6%, and give the state the 13th lowest rate in the country, this is still an alarming trend. As a service professional, what can you do to reinforce the message that underage drinking is not OK and the majority of underage people do not drink? What more can you do to help prevent underage drinking and keep things safe?

It only takes a minute to check an ID and prevent a minor from entering a bar and buying a drink. Additionally, gas stations, grocery stores and liquor stores are all places that teens turn to in order to purchase liquor, and staffers at those establishments should also take steps to ensure they are doing all they can to prevent illegal sales.

The first defense for sales professionals is a thorough knowledge of local and state laws, and mandatory alcohol awareness training. Alcohol awareness training from TAM of Nevada will teach you how to spot fake, altered and borrowed identification, which is popular with teen drinkers. Also remember that TAM Cards expire after four years, contact TAM® of Nevada if you need to renew your training. Officials may ask to see your alcohol awareness card during an alcohol compliance check.

Resources

 

  • State Estimates of Underage Alcohol Use and Self-Purchase of Alcohol: 2008 to 2010 – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

 

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada