More than 80 Percent of Canadians Consume Alcohol, Report

Alcohol is a socially accepted part of everyday life for most Canadians. Almost 80 percent of us drink.

Many Canadians associate drinking with pleasurable social events such as music festivals, watching sports, parties, and relaxing. Celebrations and milestones like weddings, anniversaries, and awards are often “toasted” with alcohol.

“Drinking is such a normal part of life for many people however alcohol is not harmless,” said Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Taylor. “I hope my report fosters a dialogue about alcohol’s risks to health that may help Canadians pay closer attention to their drinking. While data shows us that the number of Canadians who drink is going down, there is still cause for concern as most people under-report how much they drink and therefore may not understand the risks to their health even at one drink per day.”

The report provides a snapshot of drinking in Canada and its effects. It explores how drinking patterns impact the brain and behaviour, and the resulting health impacts. For example, about 3,000 babies are born every year in Canada with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The report also covers influencing factors at play such as the social acceptability of drinking, and how they may influence the risks from drinking. The report closes with a section on reducing the health impacts of drinking.

“I want this report to serve as a launching pad for having further conversations with Canadians about the harms associated with drinking,” said Dr. Taylor. “Young people are surrounded by mixed messages about drinking alcohol through advertising and our own behaviour as adults. While most youth think there is little to no health risk related to alcohol, given their stage of development, they are among the most vulnerable. Adults can serve as powerful positive role models. I want to engage and talk about this topic so families, caregivers and youth can have frank conversations about it.”

Moving forward, the Chief Public Health Officer will be engaging youth and youth influencers on the health impacts of drinking alcohol.

The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada, 2015: Alcohol Consumption in Canada

A message from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer

Alcohol is a socially accepted part of everyday life for most Canadians. Almost 80 percent of us drink.

Many Canadians associate drinking with pleasurable social events such as music festivals, watching sports, parties, and relaxing. Celebrations and milestones like weddings, anniversaries, and awards are often “toasted” with alcohol.

Our society condones, supports, and in some cases promotes drinking such as through “drink of the day” specials, sale prices on certain brands, and associating alcohol with fun and sophistication.

Although handled more like a food in Canada, alcohol is a mind-altering drug and there are health risks associated with drinking. Our low-risk drinking guidelines do not mean that alcohol is harmless.

At least three million drinking Canadians risk acute illness, such as injury and at least four and half million risk chronic conditions such as liver disease and cancer.

Our children grow up seeing alcohol in many aspects of their environment and around 3,000 are born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder each year.

Agencies/Canadajournal