BC’s new liquor laws: health aspects cannot be overlooked

BC’s proposed new liquor laws have grabbed the headlines for allowing people to buy and consume alcohol in more places, but the recommendations related to health were largely overlooked.

Among the 73 recommendations of the BC Liquor Policy Review, fully supported by the provincial government, are several that make BC’s approach to alcohol more responsive to health concerns.

The BC Liquor Distribution Branch will now be required to collaborate with health experts to design educational materials and, more importantly, consider how to price the many thousands of its alcoholic products so that they are not too cheap and their price reflects their degree of potential harmfulness.

Two University of Victoria experts who have extensively studied liquor policies and the social impacts of alcohol are available to comment on the risk of implementing the politically popular recommendations without also implementing those that protect people’s health and safety.

Dr. Tim Stockwell (CARBC/Dept. of Psychology) is UVic’s Centre for Addictions Research (CARBC) director, and a researcher in alcohol policy. His submission to BC’s Liquor Policy Review on behalf of CARBC included a number of specific recommendations for provincial policies to better consider the health and social impacts of alcohol. (Office: 250-472-5445 or timstock@uvic.ca)

Dr. Kara Thompson (CARBC/research associate) co-authored the report, “Reducing alcohol-related harms and costs in British Columbia: A provincial summary report.” She is an expert in alcohol policy and youth substance use. (cell: 250 661 6397 or murrayk@uvic.ca)

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