Free our Beer? Questioning the Logic of the OCSA – Part 4

But – is it good for business and the economy?

The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) would like us to think this issue is about what Ontarians want: increased convenience, modernization, economic benefits, and maturity.  But let’s think this through...

Ultimately, the issue comes down to two arguments: the economic benefits versus the impact of this decision on community health. 

·       Economically the case is made that selling alcohol in corner stores will open up competition, provide cheaper prices and more choices for the consumer.  When considering this point, it is important to note that even in our current alcohol retail market controlled by the provincial government, there is already an economic loss from the sale of alcohol.  The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse has calculated that the direct revenues from the sale of alcohol in Ontario are almost $500 million less than the direct costs associated with the sale of alcohol, including enforcement and health care costs.  So, how increased alcohol sales and the inevitable increased harm will provide an overall economic benefit for Ontarians is unclear. 

·       The population health impact of increased consumption can be immediate, such as injuries and deaths due to impaired driving, drowning, falls, fires, suicide, homicide, sexual assault and other violence.  Moreover, the health impact can be long-term and include certain cancers, high blood pressure, mental health problems, liver disease, and stroke.  According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is the second most harmful risk factor for disease and disability in developed countries including Canada. It is associated with increased health and social costs. In times of increasing health care costs, these facts should not be ignored. 

The OCSA wants to create opportunities for their members and this is commendable; we rely on the growth and development of our private sector for the overall wellbeing of our communities.  However, this very important decision with potential short and long term impacts must be considered carefully and must not be simply based on convenience. 

For now, the provincial government is reporting that they will not change the current retail system for alcohol.  This is good news.  But everyone needs to be well informed to make good decisions. Unfortunately the information the OCSA campaign is providing to the public and government officials is incomplete and could lead the province to take future action that will cause more harm than good.  If alcohol were a regular product, this decision may be a simple one. However, given the significant short and long term harms related to its use, alcohol is not an ordinary commodity.  It is the government’s responsibility to control alcohol access and related harms while minimizing the impact these controls have on our freedom.

Alcohol is undeniably a part of our social and economic fabric. We are encouraging communities to work together to consider what factors are creating an environment that allows alcohol to be used in ways that are harmful and how we can change things to ensure the health and safety of all Ontarians. 

Free our Beer? Questioning the Logic of the OCSA – Part 3

Convenience and Modernization?

Well, the LCBO strike has been averted and all is well for those wishing to purchase alcohol for the Victoria Day weekend.  You may be wondering whether it is all worth the bother.  If alcohol were just available in corner stores, we could purchase what we want when we want it, and wouldn't have to worry about stores closing on a long weekend.

Let's continue to examine this issue further.  One of the Ontario Convenience Store Association’s (OCSA) main messages is that Ontarians have inadequate access to purchasing alcohol and that there have been no changes to how alcohol is sold in Ontario since 1927. They believe there is a need to modernize how we access and buy alcohol.  The sale of alcohol through government controlled outlets did begin with many tight controls, and very limited access. But in more recent years a number of changes to liquor laws in Ontario have in fact increased access to alcohol.

·    Licensed delivery services are permitted to purchase and deliver alcohol to people’s homes.

·    Alcohol is available for purchase in Ontario wine outlets, and LCBO Agency Store locations in smaller, rural communities. 

·    A planned expansion of 70 new full scale LCBO locations will add more access and convenience.

·    A pilot project will see 10 LCBO express outlets located in grocery stores.

·    Recent changes to the Liquor License Act allow for changes to where alcohol can be consumed at licensed community events, as well as for all inclusive vacations in Ontario that include alcohol. 

In terms of retail outlets, Kingston currently has four LCBOs, four Beer Stores, and eight wine retail locations - 14 outlets in all.  If all 75 convenience stores in Kingston became licensed to sell alcohol, this would represent more than a fivefold increase in locations that sell alcohol in the city of Kingston.   According to MADD Canada, Ontario has about 1,000 LCBO and Beer Store locations.  The estimated ratio of convenience stores to LCBO and Beer Store locations is 7 to 1, which would translate to an additional 7000 community locations where wine and beer may be purchased. 

The OCSA’s argument for increased access sounds simple and enticing.  After all, who doesn’t want more modern laws and more convenience?  The question to consider is “what will the consequences be?” Increased access to alcohol is known to lead to increased consumption, which can lead to increased harm to the drinker, to innocent bystanders, and the community.

Next week we will conclude this 4 part series with a look at the economic and health outcomes that would come with increased access to alcohol.

Free our Beer? Questioning the Logic of the OCSA – Part 2

Can convenience stores control access to alcohol as well as the LCBO?

Last week we considered the Ontario Convenience Store Association’s (OCSA) claim that Ontarians want beer and wine to be sold in convenience stores, and found that the answer to this is unclear.  This renewed effort to get public support is in response to the potential for an LCBO strike over the May long weekend.  This week, let’s consider another of the OCSA’s claims - that convenience store operators are better at checking ID of potential underage purchasers.

Checking for ID is an important part of keeping alcohol out of the hands of those under 19.  It is however, not the only responsibility of the alcohol retailer.  They must also be prepared to challenge and refuse those who are buying alcohol for minors or those who are already intoxicated. LCBO staff must complete mandatory Challenge and Refusal training – a key strategy for reducing alcohol related harm in the individual and the community. Despite claims from the OCSA’s secret shopper program, it is not known if these other important challenge functions were considered.

If convenience stores were permitted to sell alcohol, what could this mean for Ontario communities? 

Increased harm to youth?

·       Alcohol is the number one drug chosen by youth and is used by 54.9% of grade 7 to 12 students according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s 2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey.

·       Last summer a KFL&A Public Health tobacco enforcement check found that 12% of the 89 stores checked had sold tobacco to shoppers under the age of 19.   When it comes to potential alcohol sales to youth, this failure is particularly concerning as the risk for immediate harm to youth is already high.

·       We do not know how well convenience stores will manage the sale of alcohol to those attempting to buy for minors.   

·       Youth exposure to alcohol products is also of concern.  A question to ask ourselves is: do we really want our children and youth to be exposed continually to alcohol products and marketing in convenience stores when they go to purchase items such as bread, milk or candy? This exposure and branding will increase the normalization of the product at a very impressionable age.

Increased risky drinking?

·       We do not know how well convenience stores will manage the sale of alcohol to those already intoxicated. 

Increased harm in the community?

·       The potential for increased youth drinking and increased risky drinking in general should be of concern for community members, businesses and government.  The economic and social costs associated with alcohol-related harms are not something we should ignore. 

While it now looks like an LCBO strike is unlikely, it is still worthwhile to consider if ‘freeing our beer’ is the responsible action to take in the long run?  Public safety, community well being and economic benefits must be equally considered.  Next week in Part 3 of this discussion, we will consider if the OCSA’s need for modernization and further convenience is as simple as they make it sound.

Free our Beer? Questioning the Logic of the OCSA - Part 1

Well, unionized LCBO employees have voted for possible strike action over this coming May long weekend and we are once again hearing from the Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) about the need to ‘modernize’ alcohol retailing in the province.  Last summer the OCSA presented 112,500 signatures to Queen’s Park from supporters of the “Free our Beer” campaign.  At first glance, it might sound like a good idea to be able to buy beer and wine in corner stores.  It would certainly be more convenient.  But there are other considerations that deserve equal attention when making such a significant decision.  Over the next couple of weeks we are going to discuss some of these other considerations, starting with the following.

The OCSA has repeatedly told us that Ontarians want alcohol to be sold in corner stores, but do they really?  Consider the following...

The OCSA claims that the majority of Ontarians support this change. 

·    However, in September 2011, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) published a report called Ontarians’ Opinions about Alcohol Policy.  The report showed that a strong majority (73%; 95% CI: 69%-76%) of Ontarians do not want alcohol to be available in corner stores.  This anonymous, random-digit-dialing telephone survey provides an unbiased view of the Ontario landscape, far different from the biased petition being presented by the OCSA, which only focuses on those who are in favour of this change. 

·    In a random telephone survey of Kingston residents in 2012 we found that 68% of respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed with selling alcohol in corner stores. 

These results conflict with the OCSA claims, and at the very least tell us that it is not clear what Ontarians want.   

Interesting note - A recent strategy by some convenience store companies offers incentives to store operators for getting signatures in this renewed effort to get the “Free our Beer” petition signed.  Does this increase bias?  Apart from the increased convenience, are signatories of this petition being given information about both the pros and cons of greatly increasing alcohol availability in their community? 

Watch for Part 2 – next week we will continue this discussion and consider another one of the OCSA’s points – that convenience stores are just as good as the LCBO in controlling access to alcohol.