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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 24, 2015 | 24 Alcohol not an option during pregnancy: Halton MOH by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Alcohol is a drug, says Dr. Hamidah Meghani. It is also a carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, shared Meghani, Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health (MOH), with those attending the Let's Talk About It event at the Art Gallery of Burlington recently. "There is no known safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy," she cautioned. "So, we must take a stance by not only educating the public, but as a society, by reducing our tolerance of easy access to alcohol." 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville · 905-257-5880 905-257-5880 maximekitchens.ca maximekitchens.ca Meghani was among a number of speakers raising awareness about the risks of drinking alcohol and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The event, hosted by Halton FASD, was held in celebration of International FASD Awareness Day. FASD is a term used to describe a full range of harm on a child that is a result of a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It's a preventable disorder that affects a person's learning, growth and development. Community organization Halton FASD has been pushing the Rethink Your Drinking campaign in conjunction with the event. The campaign, which is based on Canada's low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines and has been adopted by several health units across Ontario, aims to change the way people view and use alcohol. When it comes to alcohol, zero matters, it promotes. During pregnancy, there is also no safe time to drink alcohol, no safe type of alcohol and no safe amount. Meghani shared with residents the real risks residents expose themselves to by taking a drink. "There is now sufficient evidence for alcohol increasing the chances of getting chronic diseases such as cancer and circulatory diseases," she said. "For example, even at one drink per day, a woman's risk of getting liver cirrhosis increases by 139 per cent compared with 26 per Dr. Hamidah Meghani cent for a man." She continued, "In Halton, we know that 45 per cent of our adult population consumes more alcohol than the low-risk drinking guidelines recommend, putting them at increased risk for chronic diseases." The event also featured a zero alcohol drink challenge, pitting two Burlington bars against each other to create the best tasting non-alcohol drink. Earls Kitchen & Bar was victorious over Spencer's at the Waterfront. Earl's bartender Adam Somerville and Lara Ferns created a chai passionfruit limeaid. For more information, visit www.haltonfasd. ca. DOUBLE SAVINGS EVENT Fall SAVE BIG during our BIGGEST event of the year! Call for details ails R0013465844 25 + 25 % OFF + qsiwindows.com % OFF The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is proud to host this year's Distinguished Entrepreneur Award Dinner. Dan Lawrie, CEO of Dan Lawrie Insurance Brokers, will receive the 2015 Distinguished Entrepreneur Award. The evening will feature a performance by Rock and Soul Artist, Laura Cole, winner of three 2015 Hamilton Music Awards. O.A.C.** **Offer not applicable on basement window or storm door purchases. Offers not Valid on Martin wood window and door products. **Offers valid only on purchases made between September 1st to September 30th 2015. **No interest and no payment for one full year based on maximum volume discounts with minimum down payments required, When: Wednesday, October 7, 2015 Where: Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Dr. Time: 5:30 Reception; 6:30 Presentations and Dinner Ticket: $180 + HST Table: $1400 + HST (8 tickets at $175) Advance registration is required. Tickets available until September 30. Go to www.burlingtonchamber.com to order. Proudly supported by BurlingtonPost