B.C. alcohol consumption rate is higher than ever: UVic study
Posted December 15, 2021 11:50 am.
According to a recent study by the University of Victoria, alcohol consumption in B.C. is at an all-time high.
The University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) claims British Columbians drank more alcohol during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic than they have in the past 20 years.
CISUR first started recording alcohol consumption rates in the province in 2001. Yet, Dr. Tim Naimi, director of CISUR says this year had the highest record of drinking to date.
“In the first part of the pandemic we saw tremendous drops in consumption from bars and restaurants, but that was offset by increases in consumption from liquor stores, including private liquor stores and BC government liquor stores. So, most of the alcohol that’s consumed is from off-premise places. In other words, not bars and restaurants, but liquor stores,” says Naimi.
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Researchers say alcohol consumption from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, was equivalent to 547 cans of 5 per cent beer or 104 bottles of 12 per cent wine per year for each per person over 15 years old.
“It has never been easier to buy alcohol in B.C., and we know increased availability of alcohol leads to people drinking more,” says Naimi.
He also says their research reflects the negative impacts of increased drinking.
“The study very reliably tracks heavy drinking, binge drinking or drinking to the point of impairment. We’ve said heavy drinking or binge drinking cause problems ranging from chronic diseases like liver disease, certain cancers, heart disease at higher levels, and also things like violence, injuries, and car crashes,” he continues.
The data shows the Interior had the highest rates of consumption at 13.69 litres per capita, with Island Health second at 11.54 litres. Fraser was the lowest at 7.09 litres.
