Column by Councillor Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection
December 25 is now just around the corner, and I am certainly looking forward to catching up with my friends and family over the festive period, as I am sure you are too.
After two years of Covid restrictions, Christmas parties are back on the agenda, with this coming Friday being one of the most popular days for colleagues to get together and celebrate.
Many people can see December as the perfect occasion to let loose; after all, tis the season to eat, drink and be merry.
But getting into the festive spirit can come at a cost for those who unwittingly purchase counterfeit alcohol. This crime is on the increase and will leave its victims with more than just a nasty hangover.
Those producing the counterfeit spirits can substitute alcohol with anti-freeze, nail varnish remover and paint stripper, leading to blindness, organ failure or even worse.
Buying bargain spirits may leave you paying the price long-term, so consumers should think twice before purchasing alcohol from online marketplaces or dodgy websites. And it’s not just buying your favourite tipple online that you need be wary of. Counterfeit alcohol is likely to become more commonplace in other shops as the cost of living increases.
So, it is important for us all to be on our guard and know what to look out for, as doing so could mean the difference between life and death. Before buying a bottle this Christmas, remember the 4 Ps: place, price, packaging and product.
Please only purchase alcohol from reputable and licenced retailers, bars, and supermarkets.
If what is on sale seems too cheap and doesn’t appear to include duty or taxes, it’s most likely to be a fake.
The packaging of a product can also give an indication as to how genuine it is. Look out for spelling mistakes, unusually shaped bottles and any seals which are broken or might have been tampered with. If the contact details for the manufacturer are missing, this is a guaranteed sign that the alcohol is counterfeit.
Appearance is important when it comes to the product itself as well. Legitimate spirits won’t look cloudy or discoloured and bits of sediment should not be floating around in the liquid as this suggests that the product has been watered down or isn’t the real deal. It should also smell like alcohol and not give off the same odour as a paint stripper or nail varnish remover.
If you suspect counterfeit alcohol is on sale, please report this in confidence immediately to Suffolk Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Of course, even legitimate alcohol can leave you feeling worse for wear if consumed excessively.
Many social occasions centre around drinking, but you can help reduce the damage to your wallet and liver if you decide to alternate between alcoholic and soft drinks.
Doing so doesn’t mean you need to feel like you’re missing out, as an array of non-alcoholic beer, wine, and cocktails are now on sale in most bars and restaurants, helping you to enjoy your night without feeling so ill the following morning.
In addition, those choosing to reduce their alcohol intake may also find that this helps them to lose weight. Three glasses of wine or two and a half pints of beer equate to a burger and a half, and many people don’t realise the hidden calories in alcohol.
If you would like to find out more about cutting down your alcohol intake, visit www.healthysuffolk.org.uk.
Although drinking to the excess might leave you with a sore head, it can also have far more deadly consequences if you drive while under the influence.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is proud to lend its support to our county’s drink and drug driving campaign, with the message being that together; we can stop this.
We must each take responsibility over the festive period by not getting behind the wheel when in no fit state to drive and challenging any friends or family who try to do the same.
An extra drink or avoiding paying for a taxi home isn’t worth the devastation that drink or drug driving can cause, something our firefighters have witnessed first-hand when attending road traffic accidents.
I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday and would also like to thank Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, their emergency service colleagues and anyone else who will be working during the festive period to look after and protect our county’s residents.
