Canada Adopts National Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines

With the release on November 25, 2011 of the first national Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines, Canadians across the country now have a powerful tool to help make informed choices about alcohol consumption.

Developed by the National Alcohol Strategy Advisory Committee (NASAC), Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines are expected to help reduce the risk of alcohol-related harms, which cost Canada $14.6 billion each year. These Guidelines will help enable health professionals across Canada to provide consistent evidence-based advice on drinking and health to their patients.

“The National Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines are a result of collaboration between many healthcare providers and public health agencies—including staff throughout several programs at CAMH,” said Dr. Louis Gliksman, Senior Scientist at CAMH and a member of the Expert Advisory Panel that drafted the Guidelines. “These Guidelines are based on the most up-to-date evidence available and represents the first time that Canada has had one set of Guidelines that has been approved across the country. Alcohol is still the most widely-used substance in the country, and these guidelines are intended to help Canadians make healthier and safer choices to minimize the risks associated with alcohol use.”

CAMH researchers contributed scientific expertise to the development of the new Guidelines, and health promotion staff contributed to the planning for their dissemination, drawing on CAMH’s leadership with the Ontario Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines. The new guidelines are an essential component of Canada's National Alcohol Strategy.

“Canada's National Alcohol Strategy underscores the need to develop a culture of moderation,” says Michel Perron, NASAC Co-Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. “I’m delighted that we’re now able to give Canadians one consistent set of guidelines to help them make informed decisions about drinking alcohol.”

To reduce long-term health risks, the Guidelines recommend no more than two drinks a day or 10 drinks a week for women, and no more than three drinks a day or 15 drinks a week for men, balanced with non-drinking days. The Guidelines also suggest limits to reduce harm on single occasions, and highlight situations where alcohol should be avoided altogether, such as when taking medication or driving.

Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines have received the support of many respected national and regional Canadian organizations, including: Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Paediatric Society, Canadian Public Health Association, Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Educ’alcool, MADD Canada, and Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

For more information on Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines and related reports, click here.