Are you a responsible consumer?

whether you’re out socialising, enjoying yourself at a party or spending quality time with loved ones this coming Easter weekend, Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) encourages the public to consume alcohol in moderation and in a responsible manner.

As part of NBL’s ongoing ‘Take a Second’ responsible consumption campaign, let’s take a minute to think about the consequences of over-indulging in alcohol. Not only should we drink in moderation, but look for ways to drink responsibly so that we don’t harm ourselves and those around us.

Adopting a positive change in attitude and behaviour around responsible consumption will not only help you to enjoy your holiday in a positive, healthy and balanced way, but will also give you the opportunity to enjoy it for longer and better.
Here are a few tips on how you can do just that:

Drink in moderation
Do yourself the favour to drink in moderation. Either you can space out your drinks in such a way that you drink more water in between or choose non-alcoholic beverages instead. At the end of the day, safe consumption can minimise harm to yourself. Or should you just want to be there for the fun, just be bold enough to say no thank you to an alcoholic drink when offered.

Know your limits
Know yourself and your limits to enjoy responsibly. How much alcohol your body can handle depends on your age, weight, gender and how you are feeling at the time. Thus, consuming more than the recommended amount can increase your risk of accidents, injuries and hangover.

Eat well and drink plenty of water
Did you know that alcohol enters your bloodstream faster if you consume it on an empty stomach? Thus, you may feel the effects of your drinks quickly, making it harder to manage your consumption levels. Best advice is, therefore, always to have a glass or two of water and have a good meal before you enjoy your beverage.

Never drink and drive
This slogan cannot be overemphasised. If you know you are the driver, do not drink alcohol at all. Research shows that the more you consume alcohol, the more likelihood of you ending up in a road accident, possibly injuring yourself or others on the road.
So, in essence, take a moment to think about your enjoyment by planning how you are going to get home before you go out. One can do so by deciding among your friends who will be the designated driver and he or she will not drink for the night.

Test yourself with EduDrink
Make a personal pledge to yourself and complete NBL’s EduDrink six-part online course this year. The free educational platform is accessible via www.edudrink.com. In this way you are encouraged to continue enhancing your knowledge on responsible consumption and become a positive role model for your family and friends.

• Surihe Gaomas-Guchu is the NBL corporate affairs manager.