Drinking alcohol a problem among too many Canadians: Report

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Excessive drinking is a problem among too many Canadians, especially people in their early 20s.

A federal report says approximately one fifth of adults are ignoring government guidelines on alcohol, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

“Nineteen to 21 per cent of Canadians who drank alcohol in the past year exceeded the guidelines that help reduce long-term alcohol-related harms,” said the report, Alcohol Use Among Canadians. “The prevalence of exceeding guidelines was highest among 20- to 24-year-olds.”

Canadian guidelines advise women should limit their alcoholic intake to two standard drinks per day and 10 per week, and three drinks per day for men and 15 per week.

It also recommends pregnant women avoid drinking alcohol and that youth, with parental consent, limit alcohol to no more than twice weekly and one or two drinks each time.

Examples of a “standard drink” are a bottle of beer, a glass of wine or 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey, vodka or other spirits.

“Alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive substance among Canadian,” said the Department of Health report. “Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for global disease burden.”

The number of Canadian who consume alcohol occasionally is about four-fifths, while the rate among young adults was 84%.

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The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction is proposing stricter recommended limits on drinking, and advises no more than two bottles of beer a week.

It said drinking more than three times in a week increases the risk of cancer “significantly.”

Federal research released last year suggested adding warning labels on alcoholic beverages to reduce consumption.

“Suggestions for regulatory measures included increasing the cost of alcohol, i.e. taxing it more, restricting the availability of alcohol, legislating generic packaging as is the case with cigarettes, offering tax incentives for producers of low or non-alcoholic beverages and non-liquor serving establishments, limiting or restricting alcohol advertising and restricting the depiction of alcohol consumption in movies,” said the report Public Awareness Of Alcohol-Related Harms: Focus On Younger Adults.

For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to Healthing.ca – a member of the Postmedia Network.