Norman Giesbrecht1, Ashley Wettlaufer1, Gerald Thomas2, Tim Stockwell2, Kara Thompson3, Nicole April4, Mark Asbridge5, Samantha Cukier6, Robert Mann1, Janet McAllister7, Andrew Murie8, Chris Pauley5, Laurie Plamondon4, Kate Vallance2. 1. Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental, Toronto, Canada. 2. Centre for Addictions Research of BC, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada. 3. The Caring Campus Project, Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. 4. Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Québec City, Canada. 5. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology and Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. 6. Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA. 7. Provincial System Support Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Canada. 8. Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, Oakville, Canada.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Alcohol pricing is an effective prevention policy. This paper compares the 10 Canadian provinces on three research-based alcohol pricing policies-minimum pricing, pricing by alcohol content and maintaining prices relative to inflation. DESIGN AND METHODS: The selection of these three policies was based on systematic reviews and seminal research papers. Provincial data for 2012 were obtained from Statistics Canada and relevant provincial ministries, subsequently sent to provincial authorities for verification, and then scored by team members. RESULTS: All provinces, except for Alberta, have minimum prices for at least one beverage type sold in off-premise outlets. All provinces, except for British Columbia and Quebec, have separate (and higher) minimum pricing for on-premise establishments. Regarding pricing on alcohol content, western and central provinces typically scored higher than provinces in Eastern Canada. Generally, minimum prices were lower than the recommended $1.50 per standard drink for off-premise outlets and $3.00 per standard drink in on-premise venues. Seven of 10 provinces scored 60% or higher compared to the ideal on indexing prices to inflation. Prices for a representative basket of alcohol products in Ontario and Quebec have lagged significantly behind inflation since 2006. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: While examples of evidence-based alcohol pricing policies can be found in every jurisdiction in Canada, significant inter-provincial variation leaves substantial unrealised potential for further reducing alcohol-related harm and costs. This comparative assessment of alcohol price policies provides clear indications of how individual provinces could adjust their pricing policies and practices to improve public health and safety. [Giesbrecht N, Wettlaufer A, Thomas G, Stockwell T, Thompson K, April N, Asbridge M, Cukier S, Mann R, McAllister J, Murie A, Pauley C, Plamondon L, Vallance K. Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm-reduction opportunities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:289-297].
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Alcohol pricing is an effective prevention policy. This paper compares the 10 Canadian provinces on three research-based alcohol pricing policies-minimum pricing, pricing by alcohol content and maintaining prices relative to inflation. DESIGN AND METHODS: The selection of these three policies was based on systematic reviews and seminal research papers. Provincial data for 2012 were obtained from Statistics Canada and relevant provincial ministries, subsequently sent to provincial authorities for verification, and then scored by team members. RESULTS: All provinces, except for Alberta, have minimum prices for at least one beverage type sold in off-premise outlets. All provinces, except for British Columbia and Quebec, have separate (and higher) minimum pricing for on-premise establishments. Regarding pricing on alcohol content, western and central provinces typically scored higher than provinces in Eastern Canada. Generally, minimum prices were lower than the recommended $1.50 per standard drink for off-premise outlets and $3.00 per standard drink in on-premise venues. Seven of 10 provinces scored 60% or higher compared to the ideal on indexing prices to inflation. Prices for a representative basket of alcohol products in Ontario and Quebec have lagged significantly behind inflation since 2006. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: While examples of evidence-based alcohol pricing policies can be found in every jurisdiction in Canada, significant inter-provincial variation leaves substantial unrealised potential for further reducing alcohol-related harm and costs. This comparative assessment of alcohol price policies provides clear indications of how individual provinces could adjust their pricing policies and practices to improve public health and safety. [Giesbrecht N, Wettlaufer A, Thomas G, Stockwell T, Thompson K, April N, Asbridge M, Cukier S, Mann R, McAllister J, Murie A, Pauley C, Plamondon L, Vallance K. Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm-reduction opportunities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:289-297].
Authors: Ulrike Grittner; Sharon Wilsnack; Sandra Kuntsche; Thomas K Greenfield; Richard Wilsnack; Arlinda Kristjanson; Kim Bloomfield Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2019-12-26 Impact factor: 2.164
Authors: Daniel Myran; Amy Hsu; Elizabeth Kunkel; Emily Rhodes; Haris Imsirovic; Peter Tanuseputro Journal: Can J Psychiatry Date: 2021-07-13 Impact factor: 5.321