Dr.’s advice: Use LCBO revenues to fund alcohol harm reduction programs in Ontario

Well it’s been another banner year for alcohol sales in Ontario, which totalled 4.9 billion dollars in net sales for 2012-2013.  On Monday the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) announced that they were able to turn over a dividend of 1.7 billion dollars to the Ontario government, not including taxes.  There is no doubt that this money is an important source of revenue for the province.  In their news release the LCBO claims that these revenues help pay for health care, education, infrastructure and other important priorities. 

The biggest issue is that very little of this money goes back into alcohol prevention and harm reduction programs.  While some of the money is targeted at health care, it is not public health or health promotion they are referring to, but rather the illness care system.

The Ontario Medical Association’s (OMA) recent policy paper recommends that some of the LCBO dividends be used for alcohol prevention programs.  In a news item this week, OMA President Dr. Scott Wooder states:

“(I’ve) seen alcohol affect people’s lives in a list of ways, from losing their jobs and families because of heavy drinking, to affecting their health” and “there should be alcohol harm reduction programs targeted to both adults and youth”

As highlighted in a previous post on the revenues vs. costs of alcohol in Ontario, the costs clearly outweigh the revenues.  So while 1.7 billion dollars is good news for the government, perhaps it’s time we looked at the other side of the story? 

Is there something you should know before having that drink?

(Image: Flickr / michaelnugent)

While specific mandatory labeling of standard drink sizes and the health effects of alcohol would certainly be a welcome addition on alcohol packaging in Canada...the motivation behind a recent U.S. announcement regarding nutrition labels on alcohol is questionable. 

The Alcohol & Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau recently released voluntary guidelines for the use of Nutrition Serving Facts statements on both labels and in product advertisements.

Given the guidelines are voluntary there are many in the industry who will choose not to use nutrition labels.  For others this will serve as another marketing tool to promote lower calorie wines or ready mixed drinks / coolers to their biggest growing consumer group – women.  

What do health experts say?

1)     Michael Jacobson from the Centre for Science in the Public Interest had the following to say about the recent ruling in a CBC News report:

“It doesn’t reflect any concern for public health” and “Including fat and carbohydrates on a label could imply that an alcoholic beverage is positively healthful, especially when the drink's alcohol content isn't prominently labeled.”

2)     In a review of alcohol labeling policy worldwide, the authors concluded that

“Current evidence seems to support prompt inclusion of a list of ingredients, nutritional information (usually only kcal) and health warnings on labels. Standard drink and serving size is useful only when combined with other health education efforts. A definition of ‘moderate intake’ and recommended drinking guidelines are best suited to other contexts.”

3)     Gerald Thomas states in an article on teen girls and drinking in the Toronto Star, that

“Alcohol is one of the only, if not the only product for sale in Canada that can kill you, without a warning (label).”

4)     Michael Perley, long-standing anti-tobacco advocate with the Ontario Council for Action on Tobacco advised at the 2012 Alcohol Policy Forum, that health warning labels would be a good first step in moving things forward.  At this point in time, many individuals are not aware of the myriad health effects related to the consumption of alcohol. 

So far in Canada, we don’t have similar guidelines for alcohol labeling, nutrition or otherwise.  But more than 75% of all respondents in the local 2012 Alcohol Public Opinion survey agreed that there should be health warning labels on alcohol products.  What do you think?  Should alcohol products be labeled?  Should the label include health warnings?  Visit us on facebook and have your say.

Targeting Women with Ready to Drink Cocktails

Just in time for summer, the LCBO is promoting a wide range of ready mixed cocktails on billboards across the City of Kingston, including Palm Bay Sophisticated Vodka Cooler and Seagrams Classic Lemonade.  If you go online to LCBOreadytodrink.com you can see all the ready to drink products the LCBO has on offer including Skinnygirl Margarita and Bacardi Breezer 100 Calorie Orange Smoothie.  Did you know that Skinnygirl Margarita now comes in a convenient SKINNYMINI single serving size?  

"Refreshingly light and low-cal, this margarita delivers crisp, tangy flavours of lemon, lime and subtle tequila." - LCBO website

 

The alcohol industry is marketing these products to women like never before.  While many people may say “so what?”, the rising trend in risky drinking among women has those of us working in public health wondering how we can stem the onslaught of this targeted promotion.  Check out this CBC Radio podcast on The Rise of Binge Drinking in Women for some in depth coverage of this not so well known issue.

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.