Risks associated with increased access to alcohol.

The Province of Ontario recently announced changes to how alcohol is sold in Ontario. Evidence shows that increasing access to alcohol is associated with increased consumption and potential for alcohol-related risks. Following a request from the Board of Health, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health has prepared a report for the July 8 Board of Health meeting and this report is now available as part of the meeting’s agenda.

Recent data shows that approximately four in five Ontario adults have consumed alcohol in the past year and the drinking trend in Toronto is similar. The average number of weekly drinks consumed increased from 3.3 in 1996 to 4.9 in 2017. Alcohol consumption patterns in Ontario are changing, especially among women, who are consuming nearly 90 per cent more alcohol today than two decades ago. Men still have higher rates of alcohol consumption, but women are catching up. (Plus d’infos…)