Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms and Costs in British Columbia: A Provincial Summary Report

Abstract

Overview • This bulletin reports on the current state of alcohol policy in British Columbia (BC) from a public health and safety perspective using results from a comprehensive national study • BC’s alcohol policy strengths and weaknesses are highlighted in comparison with other provinces and specific recommendations for improvement provided. • The 10 policy dimensions were weighted by their potential to reduce harm and reach the populations at risk. • BC ranked 2nd overall nationally with 53.4% of the ideal score (see Fig. 1), but it fared poorly on the more important policy dimensions of pricing and regulatory control system. Therefore much unrealized potential remains in BC for further public health and safety benefits. Rankings and Recommendations In order of potential for impact on harms and costs: 1. Pricing (9th): Set minimum prices to at least $1.50 per standard drink in liquor stores and $3.00 for bars and restaurants. Adjust prices to keep pace with inflation and to reflect alcohol strength 2. Control System (10th): Reduce access to alcohol through other channels (e.g. online sales and u-brew ); increase social responsibility messaging 3. Physical Availability (2nd): Restrict outlet density based on population; reduce hours of sale 4. Drinking and driving (1st): Implement all MADD Canada recommendations 5. Marketing and advertising (1st): Restrict quantity of advertisements; introduce a formal complaint process for advertising violations 6. Legal drinking age (1st): Consider increasing the legal drinking age to 21 years of age 7. Screening and Brief Intervention (1st): Seek to increase utilization by health care providers 8. Server Training, Challenge and Refusal (1st): Offer face-to-face training; require training and regular recertification for all servers; evaluate strategies to reduce service to intoxicated and underage customers 9. Provincial alcohol strategy (2nd): Develop an overarching alcohol specific provincial strategy 10. Warning labels and signs (5th): Implement mandatory warnings on alcohol containers and in all liquor outlets; create specific messages (e.g. include low-risk drinking guidelines)