A new report from B.C.’s health officer says while alcohol consumption has fallen in recent years, British Columbians still drink more than the national average.
The latest annual report on alcohol trends from Dr. Bonnie Henry’s office, based on data from 2023, said people in B.C. consumed an average of 8.8 drinks per week, compared to the national average of 8.2 drinks.
Canadian health officials recommend no more than one to two drinks per week to avoid most alcohol-related health risks.
The report said older men in B.C. drink the most alcohol, with an average of 15 drinks per week. That is more than double the average consumed by women of the same age.
It noted men aged 65 and older also have higher rates of alcohol-attributable deaths and hospitalizations than the rest of the population.
The Interior, Northern and Island Health regions had the highest levels of drinking per person. Drinking peaked in the Interior region during the pandemic years of 2020/21, with an average of about 15 weekly drinks per person – five drinks more than than the provincial average.
Overall, alcohol use reached a 20-year low in the province, with drinking rates particularly falling among young people.
“The percentage of youth who have tried alcohol beyond a few sips is on the decline overall and across all health regions—and reached its lowest point in 2023,” said the report.
However, it found 38 per cent of youth ages 12 to 19 reported having tried alcohol.
Overall, B.C. youth begin drinking later compared to previous years. Out of those who had tried alcohol, 66 per cent reported drinking under the age of 15, compared to 80 per cent in 2003.
The report said alcohol remains a leading cause of preventable deal, injury and disability in Canada. It highlights alcohol-related harms like anti-Indigenous stereotyping in the health care system, gender-based violence stemming from alcohol use and deaths or injuries from impaired driving crashes.
It estimates the province spends more money addressing the health and social harms of drinking than it makes on alcohol sales, licensing and taxes, amounting to a $768 million deficit in 2020.
“When it comes to drinking alcohol, less is best,” said Henry. “Drinking less alcohol is better for overall health, as has been confirmed by research and alcohol guidance in Canada.”
The report offers a number of recommendations for the B.C. government to help raise awareness about the health risks of alcohol.
They include requiring warning labels on alcohol packaging and basing the price of alcohol on alcohol content rather than volume.
Henry also calls on the province to develop a provincial alcohol strategy to co-ordinate policy between ministries.
B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne said his ministry will be taking a careful look at the report.
“I know this is an issue of concern to many different communities, and it’s really important that people have the information that they need around alcohol use and around impacts, and that they’re able to make those informed decisions,” said Osborne.
