Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm‐reduction opportunities. (4th November 2015)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm‐reduction opportunities. (4th November 2015)
- Main Title:
- Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm‐reduction opportunities
- Authors:
- Giesbrecht, Norman
Wettlaufer, Ashley
Thomas, Gerald
Stockwell, Tim
Thompson, Kara
April, Nicole
Asbridge, Mark
Cukier, Samantha
Mann, Robert
McAllister, Janet
Murie, Andrew
Pauley, Chris
Plamondon, Laurie
Vallance, Kate - Abstract:
- 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, significantAbstract: 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] … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Drug and alcohol review. Volume 35:Number 3(2016)
- Journal:
- Drug and alcohol review
- Issue:
- Volume 35:Number 3(2016)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 35, Issue 3 (2016)
- Year:
- 2016
- Volume:
- 35
- Issue:
- 3
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2016-0035-0003-0000
- Page Start:
- 289
- Page End:
- 297
- Publication Date:
- 2015-11-04
- Subjects:
- minimum price -- indexation -- pricing on alcohol content -- inter‐provincial comparison -- Canada
Substance abuse -- Periodicals
Alcoholism -- Periodicals
Drinking of alcoholic beverages -- Periodicals
616.86 - Journal URLs:
- http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121638198/ ↗
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1111/dar.12338 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0959-5236
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 3627.895000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library STI - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 1702.xml