New data from the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research reveals that alcohol consumption in British Columbia has dropped to its lowest level since the turn of the millennium. In 2024, per capita sales in B.C. were equivalent to 469 standard drinks per person over the age of 15 annually, marking a 9% decrease from the previous year. This decline represents the largest single-year drop since 2001 and follows a nearly 15% decrease from the record high in 2020/21.
Experts suggest that several factors are contributing to the trend, including population growth, rising living costs, and increased awareness of the health impacts of alcohol, especially following the release of Canada’s updated Alcohol and Health guidelines in 2023. Despite the decline, British Columbians still consume, on average, 9 standard drinks per week—well above the recommended guidelines and the Canadian average.
While the decrease is seen as a positive step for public health, experts note that there is still significant room for improvement, with alcohol-related harm continuing to be a major public health concern in Canada.
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