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Talking about Alcohol
As the leading American spirits company, Beam Global Spirits & Wine
is committed to marketing our brands responsibly, supporting social
programs to combat alcohol abuse and raising global awareness of
the risks and consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.
As an employee of Beam Global, you play an important role as an
ambassador for our vision of Building Brands People Want to Talk
About . And part of that vision is being an advocate for the importance of enjoying our brands responsibly. This commitment starts
with you. If you choose to consume our brands, you must lead by
example and uphold the highest standards of social responsibility
and professionalism at all times.
We encourage you to take the time to read through this valuable
informational booklet, which has been designed to help you make
the right choices for all those “spirited” occasions that we encounter
in our daily lives. Please share this information with your family and
friends and help us continue to make a difference.
Sincerely,
Your Executive Leadership Team,
Matt Shattock
Donard Gaynor
Ian Gourlay
Rory Finlay
Keith McLeod
Bill Newlands
Bob Probst
Kent Rose
Florence Pramberger
Table of Contents
2
What are Beam Global’s beliefs about alcohol and drinking?
3
What happens when you drink, and how should you handle it?
4
Are there benefits from drinking?
5
How to recognize risky drinking?
6
What does being responsible look like?
7
So, what do you know about alcohol?
8
A closing message from Florence Pramberger, SVP,
Human Resources
What Are Beam Global’s beliefs
about alcohol and drinking?
Drink
Smart
We are proud of our commitment to responsibility and we hope every
Beam Global employee is too. However, we know that the subject of
alcohol can provoke heated debate. We have strong principles on how
our products are marketed and how alcohol should be consumed. We
also have strong views about the personal responsibility we all have
when it comes to our own drinking. At Beam Global, we have our own
unique drink smart® philosophy. At its core are our six principles:
Respect Others – informed adults have the right to choose to drink alcohol – or not
to drink at all.
Obey the Law – purchase or consumption by those below the legally designated age
cannot be condoned or tolerated.
Take Responsibility – adults who chose to drink alcohol must understand the
consequences, and take responsibility for their actions.
Drink in Moderation – understand how much you're drinking.
Be a Responsible Host – always try to ensure your guests do not drink to excess.
Drive Safe – never drive drunk, or over the legally designated blood-alcohol level.
We believe that progress can be made on safe-driving, underage drinking, and other forms
of alcohol abuse by using a multi-faceted approach, encompassing education, effective
enforcement of laws, and personal responsibility.
We start with the belief that every adult of legal purchase age can make their own decisions
about whether to drink alcohol, or not. We fully support those who choose not to drink
alcohol at all. Adults who do choose to drink should always do so in moderation. For many
healthy adults, sensible drinking can be compatible with a healthy lifestyle.
But alcohol abuse can lead to serious consequences. That is why the sale of alcohol should
be within a government regulatory framework. Societies should mandate appropriate
standards for legal drinking and purchase ages, based on the relevant social, cultural and
religious standards and traditions. Young people under the legal purchase age should not
drink or purchase alcohol and should face punishment if they do. We also believe adults
who supply alcohol to those under the legal purchase age should also face legal sanction.
Every society should establish legally enforced blood-alcohol limits for drivers, and have strict
penalties for drunk-driving offenses.
We put these strong beliefs into action through our long-term support for actions and
partnerships with local, national and international organizations, supporting efforts to combat
alcohol abuse.
2
What happens when you drink,
and how should you handle it?
Take
Responsibility
Alcohol is quickly absorbed into
your bloodstream and you
may feel the effects almost
immediately – especially if you’re
drinking on an empty stomach.
Alcohol contains calories, but
has no nutritional value to the body, so it passes
quickly through the intestines to the liver, where it is
broken down at the rate of about eight grams, or one
small drink, per hour.
So how much is too much? The size and composition
of drinks vary around the world, so it’s impossible to
produce a “one-size-fits-all” guideline. That makes it
doubly important that you understand how much
alcohol is in each drink type and serving. After all,
what matters most is not so much what you drink,
as the way you drink – how much, how quickly and
how often.
There’s more information
about national drinking
guidelines on the
websites below:
www.drinkaware.co.uk
United Kingdom
www.drinkingandyou.com
United States, Canada, United
Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France,
Sweden
www.drinkwise.com.au
Australia
www.standarddrinks.com
United States
www.icap.org
Numerous additional countries
including Canada, South Africa,
New Zealand, Singapore etc.
The effect alcohol has on a particular person varies
according to personal circumstances, including
www.consumo-responsable.com
age, weight, sex, and physical and emotional factors,
Spain
as well as how much food they’ve eaten before they
drink. Women can be more susceptible than men to
the affects of alcohol because they generally weigh less
and have a higher proportion of fat in their bodies. Older people are also more susceptible.
We all have to take these factors into account when deciding what responsible drinking
means for us.
As a general rule, a standard on-premise drink, whether it’s a beer, wine or spirits, often
contains the same amount of pure alcohol. As far as your body – or a breathalyzer – is
concerned, there is absolutely no difference. Measures for a standard drink differ from
market to market, but many governments now issue guidelines for recommended daily and
weekly consumption. Use the websites listed above to find the one relevant to you.
But in practice it isn’t always as simple as that. Many of us have been in situations where
it’s hard to keep track of exactly how much we’ve had, or when the host keeps refilling the
glass. One way to deal with this is to decline refills or make sure you finish your glass before
you accept another one. Plan in advance how much you think is moderate and always try to
keep an exact count of how much alcohol you have consumed.
Talking About Alcohol
3
Are there benefits from drinking?
Drink in
Moderation
We hear a lot about the negative effects of alcohol and the potential
consequences of abuse. However, alcohol can, and does, play a
positive role in many societies, whether in celebration or relaxation,
social occasions or dining with friends.
Independent research has indicated that there are potential beneficial
effects for some adults from moderate drinking. For example, some
research suggests that light to moderate drinking may help reduce the risk of heart
disease for adults in certain age groups, who otherwise have a healthy lifestyle. Moderate
consumption, generally considered one or two drinks per day for healthy adult men
and women, can help increase levels of ‘good’ cholesterol (high density lipo-protein
cholesterol), and lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol (low density lipo-protein cholesterol).
This combination reportedly helps reduce the risk for some types of heart disease.
A number of independent studies have compared the health effects of different types of
alcohol, and have concluded that there is essentially no difference between spirits, beer,
and wine. The potential benefits appear to be conferred by the alcohol (ethanol), not the
type of drink.
Abuse of alcohol has exactly the opposite effect. There are reports which indicate that
alcohol abuse can result in a number of health conditions, including increased blood
pressure. There are also reports that those who abuse alcohol have increased risk of
cirrhosis of the liver, cancers of the pancreas, pharynx, esophagus and breast. There are
no health benefits from excessive consumption or binge-drinking (generally five or more
drinks in a period of hours).
Even less-than-heavy consumption of alcohol may be associated with risks including
accidents, injuries, high blood pressure, stroke, certain cancers, including breast cancer
and other conditions.
The topic of health and alcohol will continue to be the subject of debate, and while the
health benefits of moderate drinking are now acknowledged by many health professionals,
Beam Global never recommends that anyone drink alcohol for possible health benefits.
4
How to recognize risky drinking?
We all need to understand the consequences of the choices we make,
and our individual responsibilities when it comes to alcohol. For adults
who choose to drink, moderate consumption can be a positive and
enjoyable part of life. Some factors to bear in mind are:
• Whether you should drink alcohol at all.
• The amount you drink.
• Where you drink – at home, when you’re out, with friends, at promotional
events, and so on.
Drive
Safe
• How susceptible you are to the effects of alcohol.
• How often you drink, and for how long.
• Personal safety and safe driving.
Knowing that, you can ask yourself some questions:
• Does my drinking land me in difficult or uncomfortable situations?
• Am I affecting my career or my relationships by drinking?
• Am I drinking to escape, or to give myself some extra confidence?
• Am I drinking because I have to, rather than want to?
• Should I abstain from alcohol at this time?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, this may indicate it is time to
do something about your drinking habits.
If you’re drinking irresponsibly, you’re not just putting yourself at risk, but
others as well. Risky drinking can cause accidents, anti-social behavior,
violence and crime. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to physical and
mental health problems like alcoholism, depression, high blood pressure,
heart disease, liver disease, stroke and diabetes.
Even moderate amounts of alcohol can affect your concentration,
judgment, and coordination, so there are certain times and activities
where drinking alcohol should not be involved. These include:
• Driving
• Participating in active sports like cycling, flying, parachuting, field sports,
horse riding, sailing, swimming, and other water sports
• Operating machinery
• Working at height
• When taking certain medications (your doctor or pharmacist can advise you)
• When trying to conceive, pregnant, or breast-feeding.
Talking About Alcohol
5
What does being
responsible look like?
Doing the right thing when it comes to drinking alcohol is a matter of personal
responsibility. Always remember we are ambassadors for our brands, our
company, and our industry, both during work hours and in our private lives.
Responsible conduct must always be an important part of the equation.
Be a
Responsible
Host
If you’re a host, either socially or at a business-related event, you’re not only responsible for
your own conduct, but for the welfare of your guests as well. Always do what you can to
prevent them from drinking to excess, or driving under the influence of alcohol. Make sure
that no one under the legal purchase age has access to alcohol. Provide food and
non-alcoholic drinks, and ensure that all the alcohol is served and consumed in moderation.
Obey
the Law
Set the example, and if you choose to drink, drink responsibly and behave
professionally. Set your own limit and stick to it – and never hesitate to take a taxi
home or ride with a designated driver. In fact, if you are at a work-related event,
consumed alcohol and need transportation, Beam Global will reimburse the costs
of the transportation home to help ensure you do not drive while intoxicated.
Employees who do not observe these guidelines may face disciplinary measures. In certain
cases alcohol abuse can lead to dismissal. This may be the result of alcohol-related incidents
at work, or offenses outside work such as knowingly supplying alcohol to young people
under the legal purchase age, or driving under the influence. The same applies to any
conduct that might adversely affect your own performance, safety in the workplace, or any
incident that might damage Beam Global’s reputation, or put the company at risk of financial
damages or litigation. Concealing involvement in such situations will not be condoned either,
and may also result in discipline.
As ambassadors of Beam Global and the alcohol industry, we must all embody the highest
of standards for the responsible and moderate consumption of alcohol.
6
So, what do you know
about alcohol?
Here are some questions to see how much you know about alcohol.
(answers on next page)
1. Fizzy alcoholic drinks make you feel the effects quicker. True or False?
2. The calories in food and drink are the same. True or False?
3. Coffee sobers you up. True or False?
4. It’s better to drink with food. True or False?
5. Approximately how long does it take your liver to process one unit of alcohol?
a) 10 Minutes
b) 30 Minutes
c) One Hour
6. The best way to
a)
b)
c)
7.
avoid a hangover is:
Don’t drink to excess
Take an aspirin before drinking
Alternate alcohol with water
Take
Responsibility
Alcohol is processed through your body:
a) In the same way as food
b) In the same way as non-alcoholic drinks
c) Through its own process
8. Alcohol can induce a headache the morning after because of:
a) Low blood pressure
b) Dehydration
c) Both low blood pressure and dehydration
9. When they drink
a)
b)
c)
the same amount, women may become:
Less intoxicated than men
More intoxicated than men
There’s no difference
(answers on next page)
Talking About Alcohol
7
Answers:
1.
True. Studies have shown that alcohol in fizzy drinks such as champagne are
absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream, making you feel the effects more
quickly. Also, did you know the same applies when you add fizzy mixers to your
drink?
2.
Yes. However, if you are watching your calories you should be aware that
alcohol is relatively high in calories, but low in nutrients. You shouldn't replace
food with alcohol.
3.
False. Caffeine does not make you sober faster. Your liver is responsible for
eliminating alcohol from your bloodstream over a fixed period of time – there is
no way to speed up the process.
4.
True. Drinking on an empty stomach is not a good idea.
5.
Approximately one hour.
6.
Don't drink to excess, although alternating alcohol with water is a good tip as
it helps prevent dehydration. Aspirin interferes with the enzyme that destroys
alcohol and will not only make you feel worse, but could be dangerous.
7.
Through its own process. Unlike other food and drink, alcohol doesn't get
digested. When it reaches the stomach, it passes directly into the intestine
where it's absorbed into the bloodstream.
8.
Both. Alcohol acts as a diuretic causing dehydration, which also reduces blood
pressure in the brain.
9.
More intoxicated than men. The alcohol destroying enzyme ADH is greater
and more efficient in men. Also, women have more fatty tissue and less body
water than men, so alcohol will become more concentrated in their blood.
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