Bonnie Henry says B.C. drinking fell to 8.8 drinks a week — Times Colonist

times colonist B.C. drinking has fallen to a 20-year low, with people in the province consuming an average of 8.8 standard drinks a week in 2023, according to a report released Wednesday by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer. The national average was 8.2 drinks a week.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a release Wednesday: “When it comes to drinking alcohol, less is best,” and added that “Drinking less alcohol is better for overall health, as has been confirmed by research and alcohol guidance in Canada.”

Bonnie Henry report

The report says B.C. drinking is still slightly above the national average, even after the decline. Henry said, “While it is important for people to be able to make informed decisions about alcohol, government has a key role to play in addressing factors that shape drinking behaviour through policy shifts.”

The recommended standard in the report is one to two drinks a week to avoid most alcohol-related health risks. That puts the provincewide average well above the level the report identifies as lower risk.

Male seniors in B.C.

Male seniors in B.C. consume the most alcohol, at an average of 15 standard drinks per week. The report also says that group has a higher rate of alcohol-attributable deaths and hospitalizations than the rest of the population.

For readers trying to compare their own habits with the report’s numbers, the clearest divide is between the provincial average and the recommended range. The report shows drinking in B.C. is lower than it has been in two decades, but the highest-consuming group still drinks far more than the standard it says avoids most alcohol-related health risks.