Help Promote the Low Risk Drinking Guidelines This Canada Day

The Chief Public Health Office and the Liquor Control Commission are encouraging Canadians to follow the Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines.

The guidelines were developed to help Canadians moderate their alcohol consumption and reduce immediate and long-term alcohol-related harm. The guidelines recommend that adults of legal drinking age do not consume more than two drinks a day or 10 per week for women, and three drinks a day or 15 per week for men.

“Consuming alcohol is a personal choice, and if you are choosing to drink these guidelines help to promote a culture of moderation,” said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison.

At least half of all alcohol consumed in Canada is consumed in excess of Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines. If Canadian drinkers were drinking alcohol within the guidelines, it is estimated that alcohol-related deaths would be reduced by approximately 4,600 each year.

The campaign includes infographics shared on Facebook and Twitter highlighting safe drinking tips with the hashtag #safedrinkingtips, including:

• What is a drink? 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of spirits are all equal amounts of alcohol.

• If you choose to drink alcohol, eat before and while you drink.

• Zero is the limit when it comes to drinking alcohol during pregnancy, when taking medications, or participating in sports or dangerous physical activity.

• For every drink of alcohol, have one non-alcoholic drink.

• If you choose to drink on special occasions, reduce your risk of injury and harm by drinking no more than 3 drinks for women and 4 drinks for men.

• Discuss with your son or daughter the benefits of delayed drinking.

For more information on Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines visit www.ccsa.ca.