Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm-reduction opportunities

• Published in: Drug and alcohol review Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 289 - 297
• Main Authors: Giesbrecht, Norman, Wettlaufer, Ashley, Thomas, Gerald, Stockwell, Tim, Thompson, Kara, April, Nicole, Asbridge, Mark, Cukier, Samantha, Mann, Robert, McAllister, Janet, Murie, Andrew, Pauley, Chris, Plamondon, Laurie, Vallance, Kate
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-05-2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Alcohol; Alcohol content; Alcohol Drinking - economics; Alcohol Drinking - prevention & control; Alcoholic Beverages - economics; Canada; Commerce - economics; Costs and Cost Analysis; Harm Reduction; Health care expenditures; Health Policy - economics; Humans; indexation; Indexing; Inflation; inter-provincial comparison; Jurisdiction; minimum price; Prices; pricing on alcohol content; Pricing policies; Public health; Public Health - economics; Verification; British Columbia Canada; Canada; Quebec Canada; inter-provincial comparison; Canada; pricing on alcohol content; minimum price; indexation
• ISSN: 0959-5236; 1465-3362
• DOI: 10.1111/dar.12338

Introduction and Aims
Alcohol pricing is an effective prevention policy. This paper compares the 10 Canadian provinces on three research‐based alcohol pricing policies—minimum pricing, pricing by alcohol content and maintaining prices relative to inflation.
Design and Methods
The selection of these three policies was based on systematic reviews and seminal research papers. Provincial data for 2012 were obtained from Statistics Canada and relevant provincial ministries, subsequently sent to provincial authorities for verification, and then scored by team members.
Results
All provinces, except for Alberta, have minimum prices for at least one beverage type sold in off‐premise outlets. All provinces, except for British Columbia and Quebec, have separate (and higher) minimum pricing for on‐premise establishments. Regarding pricing on alcohol content, western and central provinces typically scored higher than provinces in Eastern Canada. Generally, minimum prices were lower than the recommended $1.50 per standard drink for off‐premise outlets and $3.00 per standard drink in on‐premise venues. Seven of 10 provinces scored 60% or higher compared to the ideal on indexing prices to inflation. Prices for a representative basket of alcohol products in Ontario and Quebec have lagged significantly behind inflation since 2006.
Discussion and Conclusions
While examples of evidence‐based alcohol pricing policies can be found in every jurisdiction in Canada, significant inter‐provincial variation leaves substantial unrealised potential for further reducing alcohol‐related harm and costs. This comparative assessment of alcohol price policies provides clear indications of how individual provinces could adjust their pricing policies and practices to improve public health and safety. [Giesbrecht N, Wettlaufer A, Thomas G, Stockwell T, Thompson K, April N, Asbridge M, Cukier S, Mann R, McAllister J, Murie A, Pauley C, Plamondon L, Vallance K. Pricing of alcohol in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies and harm‐reduction opportunities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:289–297]