Strategies to Reduce Alcohol-Related Harms and Costs in Canada: A Comparison of Provincial Policies

Giesbrecht, Norman; Wettlaufer, Ashley; April, Nicole; Asbridge, Mark; Cukier, Samantha; Mann, Robert B.; McAllister, Janet; Murie, Andrew; Pauley, Chris; Plamondon, Laurie; Stockwell, Tim; Thomas, Gerald H.; Thompson, Kara; Vallance, Kate

doi:10.1037/e506492014-001

Cited by 22 publications

(32 citation statements)

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“…Communications with various liquor boards and agencies, ministries of finance and health, including the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health, and non-government organizations dealing with public health issues related to alcohol use have taken place at all stages of the project. The policy implications of the findings of the project were communicated in an in-depth report (Giesbrecht et al, 2013), as well as in several province-specific summary reports that have been widely disseminated to several key stakeholders and government departments dealing with alcohol issues. The project team has also participated in a number of consultations with governments and stakeholders alike to strengthen alcohol policies across several regions in Canada.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following the release of the main report (Giesbrecht et al, 2013), 10 province-specific reports have been released that included focused analyses, updates on recent alcohol policy developments, and recommendations focusing on the provincial context. They have been widely disseminated and have generated media attention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper is based in part on a presentation at the 40 th Alcohol Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society, Torino, Italy, June 9-13, 2014, and on Giesbrecht et al (2013). We gratefully acknowledge receipt of data from the Provincial Liquor Boards as well as from the Provincial Ministries of Finance, Provincial Ministries of Health, and ministries responsible for the control and sale of alcohol in each province.…”

Section: Acknowledgementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms and costs in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies

Giesbrecht¹,

Wettlaufer²,

Simpson³

et al. 2016

IJADR

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Aims: To compare Canadian provinces across 10 research-based alcohol policy and program dimensions. Design and Measures:The 10 Canadian provinces were assessed on the following 10 policy dimensions: alcohol pricing; alcohol control system; physical availability; drinking and driving; marketing and advertising; legal drinking age; screening, brief intervention, and referrals; server training, challenge, and refusal programs; provincial alcohol strategy; warning labels and signs. Data were collected from official documents, including provincial legislation, regulations, and policy, and strategy documents. Three international experts on alcohol policy contributed to refining the protocol. Provincial scores were independently determined by two team members along a 10-point scale for each dimension, and the scores were expressed as a percentage of the ideal. Weighting of dimensions according to scope of impact and effectiveness was applied to obtain the final scores. National and provincial scores were calculated for each dimension and consolidated into overall averages.Findings: Overall, the consolidated national mean is 47.2% of the ideal, with Ontario scoring highest at 55.9%, and Québec lowest at 36.2%. Across dimensions, Legal Drinking Age and Challenge and Refusal Programs scored highest at 75% and 61%, respectively, while Warning Labels and Signs scored lowest at 18% of the ideal. Pricing, rated third highest among dimensions at 57%, should nevertheless remain a priority for improvement, given it is weighted highest in terms of effectiveness and scope. Conclusions and Implications:Policy dimension scores vary among the provinces, with substantial room for improvement in all. Since spring 2013, several provinces have taken steps to implement specific alcohol policies. Concerted action involving multiple stakeholders and alcohol policies is required to reduce the burden of alcohol problems across Canada.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Acknowledgementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms and costs in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies

Giesbrecht¹,

Wettlaufer²,

Simpson³

et al. 2016

IJADR

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“…A range of alcohol policies and interventions have been assessed with regard to their impact in reducing consumption, high-risk drinking, or harm from alcohol (Anderson, Chisholm, & Fuhr, 2009;Babor et al, 2003Babor et al, , 2010Brand et al, 2007;Canadian Public Health Association, 2011;Crombie, Irvine, Elliott, & Wallace, 2007;Giesbrecht, Stockwell, Kendall, Strang, & Thomas, 2011;Giesbrecht et al, 2013;Karlsson & Österberg, 2001;Nelson et al, 2013;Stockwell, Gruenewald, Toumbourow, & Loxley, 2005). The World Health Organization (WHO, 2010) proposed ten recommendations to reduce alcohol-related harm as part of their Global Alcohol Strategy; these included alcohol pricing/taxation and strategies to reduce the availability of alcohol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do alcohol pricing and availability policies have differential effects on sub-populations? A commentary

Giesbrecht

Wettlaufer

Cukier

et al. 2016

IJADR

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Aims: Numerous policies have been shown to reduce the harm from alcohol; however, not all sub-populations respond similarly to policy interventions. This paper explores the specific effects of alcohol pricing policies and controls regarding physical availability on different types of harms from alcohol as well as on different sectors of the population, including impacts by gender, age, and drinking patterns.Design, Setting, Participants, and Measures: We focus on two dimensions. The first is alcohol pricing and taxation; the second is alcohol availability, comprising type of alcohol control system, outlet density, and hours/days of sale. We focused on peer-reviewed research and reviews published from 2005-2015, using several databases: PsycINFO, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Cochrane.Findings: Precautionary alcohol prices have substantial harm reduction potential, particularly among youth and high-risk drinkers. Restrictions on outlet densities and hours/days of sale impact the drinking patterns of underage youth, reduce high-risk drinking, and reduce alcohol-related harm. A reduction in prices or an increase in alcohol availability are associated with increase in high-risk drinking or alcohol-related harm. Conclusions:Future work should examine these policy measures in light of socioeconomic status and cultural factors, as well as impacts of policy interventions on evidence of harm to others from alcohol.

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“…To date, no provincial or federal laws are mandated about the allowable density or proximity of establishments in Canada [50]. Based on limited amounts of evidence-based information, municipalities have developed their own policies and restrictions.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Negative Effects of Alcohol Establishment Size and Proximity on the Frequency of Violent and Disorder Crime across Block Groups of Victoria, British Columbia

Fitterer

Nelson

Stockwell

2018

IJGI

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Abstract:Multiple studies have associated the density of alcohol establishments with crime. What is not well understood is the influence of establishment patron capacity on the magnitude of crime in an area, or how the spacing of liquor primary establishments impacts crime levels. Using a Poisson spatial lag model, we estimated how patron capacity of on-premises licenses and the total number of off-premises licenses were associated with the frequency of violent and disorder crime occurring on Friday and Saturday nights in Victoria, British Columbia. To identify how the distance between bars and pubs was associated with the frequency of crime within 200 m of each establishment, we applied bivariate curve fitting and change detection techniques. Our model explained 76% percent of the variance in crime frequencies. Bars and pubs within block groups, and in neighboring block groups, had a significant positive association (p < 0.05) with the frequency of crime compared to other on-premises licenses (e.g., restaurants, theatres, clubs, hotels), and off-premises liquor stores. For every additional 1111 bar or pub patron seats the crime frequency per block group is expected to double over a 17 month period (factor of 1.0009 per patron seat). Crime frequency significantly dropped (p < 0.05) around (200 m) bars and pubs that are spaced greater than 300 m apart. Our results provide the first evidenced-based information for evaluating the size and spacing of on-premises licenses in Canada.

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Strategies to Reduce Alcohol-Related Harms and Costs in Canada: A Comparison of Provincial Policies

Cited by 22 publications

References 0 publications

Strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms and costs in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies

Strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms and costs in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies

Do alcohol pricing and availability policies have differential effects on sub-populations? A commentary

The Negative Effects of Alcohol Establishment Size and Proximity on the Frequency of Violent and Disorder Crime across Block Groups of Victoria, British Columbia

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