The study, which estimates the cost of substance use to Canadian society, cost $1.4 million to produce and was funded by Health Canada.
Beer Canada said the report fails to discuss some of the positive trends that are a direct result of industry, government and NGOs working toward reducing harmful drinking and fostering a culture of moderation across Canada.
Luke Harford, president of Beer Canada, said commended the CCSA for publishing a lot of “thoughtful research” but caveated this by stating that such cost studies come with “a lot of moving parts” aimed at producing the highest and most alarming numbers.
Nearly two-thirds of the cost estimate for alcohol in the study relate to productivity losses and the criminal justice system.
These costs are contentious and subject to ongoing debate among health economists. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines have advised against including loss of production in cost of substance use studies.
He added: “There are a lot of assumptions built into these types of cost studies and CCSA’s new study is no different. The assumptions boost the costs and downplay, trivialize or ignore any benefits.”
The organisation went on to say that the majority of Canadian adults drink in moderation. Among those who drink, 80% do so within the low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines for long-term harm, and 85% for short-term harm.
Canada’s beer, wine and spirits makers are committed to encouraging responsible choices and believe that for adults of legal drinking age, moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a well-balanced lifestyle.
Beer Canada highlighted that in 2016, impaired driving declined for the fifth consecutive year reaching a historical low with the rate falling by 66% since 1986, and by 3% over the previous year (Statistics Canada, Police-reported Crime Statistics in Canada, 2016, July 24, 2017)
Jan Westcott, president and CEO of Spirits Canada added, “Canada’s low risk drinking guidelines recommend adults limit their alcohol consumption to two drinks a day for women and three drinks a day for men. Whereas the guidelines for tobacco, or cocaine, is zero.”