International Breweries holds responsible beverage service training in key Lagos LGAs

International Breweries Plc, a member of AB InBev, the largest beer maker in the world with over 500 brands, has taken its Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training campaign to key local government areas (LGA) in Lagos State.

The Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) is an intervention by International Breweries to address the harmful use of alcohol through various channels and features of the sales environments such as staff, management and consumer behaviour.

the initiative seeks to prevent binge drinking, drunk driving and sales of alcohol to minors and pregnant women among other harmful use of alcohol.

The RBS initiative, which was flagged off at Zara Garden Event Centre at Ibeju Lekki had in attendance owners and managers of hotels, bars, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses where beer and other alcoholic beverages are served.

The participating local governments include; Ibeju Lekki, Amuwo-Odofin, Surulere, Eti-Osa and Kosofe.

Other key LGAs will benefit from the project implementation which involves conducting baseline surveys and training on RBS activities. Scenario simulation of bartender-customer relations will be deployed by expert trainers to enable participants to fully internalise the essence of the training.

Facilitator, Responsible Beverage Service Training for Owners and Servers of IBPLC Sales Outlets, Bunmi Olatunde said: “Responsible Beverage Service is an initiative of International Breweries Plc aimed at preventing the harmful use of alcohol in the sales environment. The discussions have been very interactive and honest.

“Many operators say they gained new knowledge and insight into their role in enabling safer drinking habits and enforcing “alcohol rules” such as the age of minors to refuse alcohol service, and their responsibility not to serve or offer alcohol to pregnant women.”

Olatunde also noted that the end goal of the training and intervention is to stimulate a behavioural shift that will see participants demonstrating responsible beverage practices in their various roles.

Commenting on the educative session, one of the trainees, Deborah Douglas-Olujie said: “I have learnt many things I was unaware of before now. I now understand how to handle underage persons who attempt to purchase alcohol and other techniques for managing sales and responsible consumption of alcohol.”