Early Safety and Health COncerns
During the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, Vodka became an immensely popular drink. In Russia, vodka became so popular that many observers thought that alcohol was ruining society. As vodka sales rose, so did crime and violence. Russian overindulgence became more than just an individual issue; it was now transforming their society. Constant and frequent overconsumption of alcohol such as vodka can lead to alcoholism and dependence. In the 1800’s, Russian Empress Catherine II, The Great, allowed people to bid for a limited number of licenses that gave the exclusive right to sell alcohol. By doing so, she maximized the state revenue from the production of alcohol. Alexander II later abolished this in the 1860’s, and implemented a tax system for alcohol retail and distilling. This however, only led to the production and sale of cheaper vodka, and the increase of vodka consumption. As safety and health issues continued to rise, the government passed a law in 1886 making it illegal for employers to give employees vodka as part of their salary. This system had a very minimal impact on drinking in the workplace, and led to the creation of the State Vodka Monopoly in 1894. This was supposed to curb and control the amount of alcohol that was sold to the public, but instead only lead to increased smuggling, bootlegging, and binge drinking on the streets.
Overconsumption, health concerns, and the dependence on vodka and alcohol brought upon massive legal changes around the world. In 1914 and 1918, Russia and the United States both passed laws that prohibited the sale, production, and consumption of alcohol that was over 2.5% ABV. As prohibition laws took affect, the black market of alcohol emerged. People began producing vodka in their homes and any way they possibly could. Vodka that is not produced and distilled properly raises many red flags. In 2008, a large quantity of counterfeit vodka was being inspected in local stores across Newcastle, England. This counterfeit vodka contained methanol, or wood alcohol, which when consumed can lead to blindness. It’s clear that vodka is not intended to be produced without proper distillation techniques, equipment, and ingredients. Health And SAfety Today: Overconsumption and Binge DrinkingThe National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defined moderation as not more than 3-4 drinks a day and not more than 14 drinks per week for men and 2-3 daily drinks and no more than 7 per week for women. Alcoholism is often debated whether or not it is a disease or just behavioral issue. Alcoholism is not only a disease in the eyes of the NIAAA, but also a life threatening issue.
Alcohol and vodka alike should always be consumed in moderation, but that is not always the case. Teens and underage drinkers who are first experimenting with alcohol do not understand the dangers and effects that come with consumption. The Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMASS Lowell compiled a material safety data sheet listing the effects of vodka. As noted, overconsumption of alcohol when ingested can lead to depression of the nervous system and loss of motor skills, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In addition, drinking too much vodka can lead to collapse, unconsciousness, coma, and in extreme cases, death. Across the teenage landscape drinkers are finding ways to get drunk as fast as possible. Binge drinking has become a new fad among young adolescent drinkers. Binge drinking is consuming large quantities of alcohol as rapidly as possible, since many drinkers participating are underage and have to drink in secrecy. This is another instance of why Vodka is a go-to drink for many underage consumers. The fact that it can be hidden in Gatorade and other types of bottles appeals to young drinkers looking to stay out of trouble. Teenagers seeking to “get as drunk as possible, as fast as possible” have turned to new alternatives for consuming vodka. One of these involves combining vodka with red bull or other energy drinks. The combination of a depressant such as vodka and a simulant like an energy drink has many dangerous effects upon consumption. In 2009, the Chicago Tribune wrote an article about “Vetoing Vicious Vodka”, which is a company that produces premixed cocktails that combine Red Bull and Vodka. ABC News Medical Unit also ran a story that highlighted the results of a study which found that mixing alcohol and caffeine led consumers to feel more impulsive, alert, and even less drunk than they actually are. Another disturbing trend that young drinkers are partaking in is called “Vodka Eyeballing”. In this trend, users take place in a viral challenge in which they pour shots of vodka directly into the eye socket. This is used by teens to get more intoxicated in a shorter amount of time. When not consumed in moderation, vodka can lead people to make questionable decisions such as drinking and driving. In Veronica’s interview with Angel Johnston, a longtime bartender, she discusses when it is time to cut someone off, her opinions of underage drinking and how to change the issues being faced, and her thoughts on drinking and driving. (Ask a Bartender) |
Historian Stephen Frank: “More than any other single factor, drinking was blamed for the peasants’ dreadful moral state and the rise of rural criminality”
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