Cost of privatisation versus government alcohol retailing systems: Canadian example

Popova, Svetlana; Patra, Jayadeep; Sarnocinska-Hart, Anna; Gnam, William; Giesbrecht, Norman; Rehm, Jürgen

doi:10.1111/j.1465-3362.2010.00276.x

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…As noted below, this erosion appears to be driven by customer interest in greater convenience and commercial interest in wider and more effective distribution and sale of their products. This is further supported by the research from Rehm et al [15] and Popova et al [16] focusing on Canada, and Stockwell et al [17] focusing on Sweden. These studies point to a projected substantial increase in harms if full privatisation of alcohol retailing is implemented.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Alcohol retail privatisation in Canadian provinces between 2012 and 2017. Is decision making oriented to harm reduction?

Giesbrecht

Wettlaufer

Stockwell

et al. 2020

Drug and Alcohol Review

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Introduction Policy changes may contribute to increased alcohol‐related risks to populations. These include privatisation of alcohol retailing, which influences density of alcohol outlets, location of outlets, hours of sale and prevention of alcohol sales to minors or intoxicated customers. Meta‐analyses, reviews and original research indicate enhanced access to alcohol is associated with elevated risk of and actual harm. We assess the 10 Canadian provinces on two alcohol policy domains—type of alcohol control system and physical availability of alcohol—in order to track changes over time, and document shifting changes in alcohol policy. Methods Our information was based on government documents and websites, archival statistics and key informant interviews. Policy domains were selected and weighted for their degree of effectiveness and population reach based on systematic reviews and epidemiological evidence. Government representatives were asked to validate all the information for their jurisdiction. Results The province‐specific reports based on the 2012 results showed that 9 of 10 provinces had mixed retail systems—a combination of government‐run and privately owned alcohol outlets. Recommendations in each provincial report were to not increase privatisation. However, by 2017 the percentage of off‐premise private outlets had increased in four of these nine provinces, with new private outlet systems introduced in several. Discussion and Conclusions Decision‐making protocols are oriented to commercial interests and perceived consumer convenience. If public health and safety considerations are not meaningfully included in decision‐making protocols on alcohol policy, then it will be challenging to curtail or reduce harms.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Alcohol retail privatisation in Canadian provinces between 2012 and 2017. Is decision making oriented to harm reduction?

Giesbrecht

Wettlaufer

Stockwell

et al. 2020

Drug and Alcohol Review

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“…Nonetheless, before turning to the second facet of epidemiological dynamics, epidemic spread, readers should note that upstream interventions directed toward alcoholic beverages and tobacco seem to be yielding much more promising results than has been the case for internationally regulated drugs. In relation to these legal drugs, not yet subject to international controls, government-directed regulation of price, taxation, and availability might be the most effective policy instruments that constrain the availability of these compounds and the prevalence of their extramedical use (for recent reviews and new contributed evidence, see Popova et al, 2011 ;Ribisl, Williams, Gizlice, & Herring, 2011 ). In addition, whether induced by government policy or action or by other means, disruption of street-level availability of internationally regulated drugs may certainly infl uence the occurrence of extramedical drug use and drug-related harms (e.g., see Bejerot, 1975 ;Brill & Hirose, 1969 ;Lenke & Olsson, 1998 ).…”

Section: Upstream Interventions With Respect To Tobacco and Alcoholmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological dynamics of addiction.

Anthony¹

2012

APA Addiction Syndrome Handbook, Vol. 1: Foundations, Influences, and Expressions of Addiction.

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“…Research has shown that increasing the availability of alcohol is related to increased consumption and alcohol-attributable morbidity and mortality [ 17 – 20 ]. Further, alcohol-related harms have repercussions that can affect others in the community [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The burden of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality in Ottawa, Canada

et al. 2017

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ObjectivesAlcohol-related morbidity and mortality are significant public health issues. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and trends over time of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related morbidity and mortality; and public attitudes of alcohol use impacts on families and the community in Ottawa, Canada.MethodsPrevalence (2013–2014) and trends (2000–2001 to 2013–2014) of alcohol use were obtained from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Data on paramedic responses (2015), emergency department (ED) visits (2013–2015), hospitalizations (2013–2015) and deaths (2007–2011) were used to quantify the acute and chronic health effects of alcohol in Ottawa. Qualitative data were obtained from the “Have Your Say” alcohol survey, an online survey of public attitudes on alcohol conducted in 2016.ResultsIn 2013–2014, an estimated 595,300 (83%) Ottawa adults 19 years and older drank alcohol, 42% reported binge drinking in the past year. Heavy drinking increased from 15% in 2000–2001 to 20% in 2013–2014. In 2015, the Ottawa Paramedic Service responded to 2,060 calls directly attributable to alcohol. Between 2013 and 2015, there were an average of 6,100 ED visits and 1,270 hospitalizations per year due to alcohol. Annually, alcohol use results in at least 140 deaths in Ottawa. Men have higher rates of alcohol-attributable paramedic responses, ED visits, hospitalizations and deaths than women, and young adults have higher rates of alcohol-attributable paramedic responses. Qualitative data of public attitudes indicate that alcohol misuse has greater repercussions not only on those who drink, but also on the family and community.ConclusionsResults highlight the need for healthy public policy intended to encourage a culture of drinking in moderation in Ottawa to support lower risk alcohol use, particularly among men and young adults.

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Cost of privatisation versus government alcohol retailing systems: Canadian example

Abstract: Alcohol-attributable burden and associated costs will increase markedly if all Canadian provinces and territories gave up the government alcohol retailing systems.For public health and economic reasons, governments should continue to have a strong role in alcohol retailing.

Cited by 5 publications

References 18 publications

Alcohol retail privatisation in Canadian provinces between 2012 and 2017. Is decision making oriented to harm reduction?

Alcohol retail privatisation in Canadian provinces between 2012 and 2017. Is decision making oriented to harm reduction?

Epidemiological dynamics of addiction.

The burden of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality in Ottawa, Canada

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