Liquor Boards Offer Responsible Hosting Tips
To help make holiday celebrations enjoyable and safe, seven Canadian liquor boards are offering a new booklet on responsible hosting. Host: guide for responsible entertaining, is being launched this week as the cornerstone of a Canadian Association of Liquor Jurisdictions (CALJ) responsible-hosting initiative.
The colourful 52-page booklet is available free-of-charge in participating liquor stores while quantities last. Produced in response to business and consumer requests for hosting information, it contains advice on party planning, how to stock the bar, host liability, facts about alcohol consumption and recipes for appealing, non-alcoholic drinks for guests and designated drivers. It also offers valuable information to help make holiday entertaining easy and reduce the risks of alcohol- related problems.
"This booklet is a great reference tool for every responsible host," said Andy Barker, president and CEO of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. "By using the advice and tips found in Host, you can plan in advance to provide safer celebrations and encourage responsible drinking. Any host can help prevent a drinking and driving incident."
John Strickey, the corporation's vice-president of Merchandising and Marketing, said that at this time of year when there are more opportunities to consume alcohol, hosts should help stop drinking and driving any way they can.
"If you are entertaining, you may be held legally responsible for the safety and sobriety of your guests," he said. "By following the suggestions in the booklet, you can help prevent impaired driving and reduce the risks to yourself and your guests."
Seven liquor boards across Canada are displaying customized versions of the booklet in their stores. Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories and Yukon are distributing this booklet. B.C. Liquor Stores, Éduc'Alcool Quebec and the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission have developed similar responsible-hosting materials for their customers.