Who must post the Arkansas Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy Warning Sign?
Effective July 24, 2019, an establishment which has received a permit from the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to sell or dispense alcoholic beverages is required to post the Arkansas Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy Warning Sign in a conspicuous place which warns of the dangers of drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy. The sign must be printed in English and Spanish. The term “alcoholic beverages” means all beverages containing more than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of alcohol by weight. (Ark. Code § 3-9-105). Covered establishments include:
- Private clubs
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Hotels/motels
- Grocery stores, liquor stores, and other retail establishments
Why Alcohol is Dangerous During Pregnancy
Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Drinking alcohol in the first three months of pregnancy can cause abnormal facial features. Growth and central nervous system problems (e.g., low birth weight, behavioral problems) can occur from drinking alcohol anytime during pregnancy. Fetal brain development can be affected by exposure to alcohol at any time during pregnancy.
If a woman is drinking alcohol during pregnancy, it is never too late to stop. For more information visit Arkansas None for Nine.