Latest news with #alcoholpolicy
CBC
03-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Doctors Nova Scotia joins voices opposed to expanding booze sales in N.S.
The Nova Scotia government has wrapped up consultations that will help determine if it will allow alcohol to be sold in more places, including grocery and corner stores. It's a move that Doctors Nova Scotia fears will cause significantly more harm than good. In June, 14 physicians who specialize in addiction medicine wrote an open letter to Finance Minister John Lohr, whose department is overseeing the process, saying alcohol already causes more than 500 deaths a year in Nova Scotia. Now, those doctors have the backing of the provincial organization that advocates for physicians. Dr. Shelly McNeil, president of Doctors Nova Scotia, sent an email to members this week saying they are unequivocally opposed to expanding the availability of alcohol. "We are imploring decision makers to think about it not just in the immediate increase in revenues, but also in the long-term costs in the system," she told CBC News. "There's lots of evidence of the harms that come from this kind of policy shift." Representatives from breweries and wineries say they participated in the consultations. There were submissions from organizations who support the move, including the Retail Council of Canada, which argues that the sales will help stores that are losing business to online shopping. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is also for the change. It recommends allowing the sale of beverages that do not exceed 7.1 per cent alcohol by volume in convenience and grocery stores and opening those rules to all small businesses, not just large retailers. Ontario expanded alcohol sales to smaller stores last year while setting limits on the volume of alcohol. But McNeil said Ontario's health-care system is already seeing the downside to greater access, referring to a 17 per cent increase in hospital visits connected to alcohol. A similar increase in Nova Scotia would mean 7,600 extra visits to the emergency department a year, she said. "In an already overburdened system, we can't afford to have our emergency volumes go up that much and we can't afford the harms that come to people that lead them to the emergency department." In Nova Scotia, alcohol is sold mainly at NSLC stores, agency stores in rural communities, four private stores in the Halifax area and sites owned by breweries, distilleries and wineries. McNeil said one of her concerns lies with expansion to locations with less regulation, where teens would be more likely to be able to find a way to buy booze. She said research shows alcohol can lead to increased rates of nine cancers, cardiovascular disease and chronic illnesses. She is also worried about societal issues, pointing to intimate partner violence, which politicians in the provincial legislature declared in September 2024 to be an epidemic in Nova Scotia, and drinking and driving. She said Doctors Nova Scotia has been happy with the Progressive Conservative government's work on health care to date but fears a decision in favour of expanding alcohol sales could undermine that work. "We really worry that this will take a bite out of the progress that has been made." McNeil said Doctors Nova Scotia made its submission in writing as part of the consultations, but she's urging policymakers to reach out and speak to physicians directly. The Finance Department said in a statement that it is reviewing input from the consultations and it will determine the next steps. It won't say when Nova Scotians might hear an update.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
Where happy hour is a crime: A state-by-state map of drinking deal bans
For many nine-to-five workers, happy hours are a treasured tradition to unwind after work. But in six states, evening drink discounts are illegal. Massachusetts was the first to ban happy hour specials in 1984, after a fatal drunk driving accident that was tied to a drink promotion. As an anti-drunk-driving movement took hold, other states followed Massachusetts's lead. The 1980s saw widespread changes to alcohol laws, including bans on unlimited drink deals, two-for-one specials, and multiple drinks served at once. During that decade, the national drinking age was also raised from 18 to 21. Since that initial wave of drinking restrictions 40 years ago, though, some states have started to rethink their laws. Kansas was the first state to repeal its total ban on happy hour specials in 2012, with Illinois and Oklahoma following suit in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Yahoo News used data from the Alcohol Policy Information System to map where bans on happy hour and unlimited drink specials remain.
CBC
27-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Experts point to B.C., Ontario for why Nova Scotia should not expand alcohol access
Nova Scotia is being urged to scrap any thoughts of expanding alcohol sales by a group of experts based in Ontario. The letter — signed by eight people from organizations such as the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation Project — has been sent to Premier Tim Houston and members of the legislature. It warns that more access to alcohol could have damaging impacts. It cited examples from B.C. and Ontario, where retail access has increased. "We need to get that message to the province before they make the same mistakes as Ontario and British Columbia have made," said Ian Culbert, the executive director of the Canadian Public Health Association, who is a signatory. The letter, signed by public health and policy experts, said research in both provinces shows when it is easier to buy booze, the health risks go up as well. It said that after Ontario expanded retail access to alcohol in 2015, alcohol-related emergency department visits rose in two years by more than 24,000. In B.C., a 20 per cent increase in alcohol retail outlets was linked to a 3.25 per cent increase in alcohol-related deaths. The letter points to alcohol-related harms, including avoidable hospitalizations, preventable deaths and heightened risk of chronic diseases such as cancer. "Alcohol is one of the leading causes of cancer after tobacco. In fact, it can lead to the development of nine different types of cancers," said Brandon Purcell, who also signed the letter and is with the Canadian Cancer Society. "Only about 50 per cent of folks in Atlantic Canada are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer." The Nova Scotia Alcohol Policy Coalition already issued its own warning to the province in a letter it sent to MLAs last month. It said that in 2022, alcohol was responsible for 571 deaths and almost 44,200 emergency department and hospital visits across the province. Survey underway in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is conducting a public opinion survey to see what people think about expanding retail access to alcohol. The survey, which closes Monday, includes questions on health and safety considerations for any potential changes, the types of stores where alcohol can be sold and locations where people are allowed to consume it. A news release issued last month said it is a good time to examine how alcohol is sold and consumed, in part because the province is taking steps to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. The release said about 1,500 Nova Scotians would be surveyed.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
These are the states where happy hour is illegal
For many nine-to-five workers, happy hours are a treasured tradition to unwind after work. But in six states, evening drink discounts are illegal. Massachusetts was the first to ban happy hour specials in 1984, after a fatal drunk driving accident that was tied to a drink promotion. As an anti-drunk-driving movement took hold, other states followed Massachusetts's lead. The 1980s saw widespread changes to alcohol laws, including bans on unlimited drink deals, two-for-one specials, and multiple drinks served at once. During that decade, the national drinking age was also raised from 18 to 21. Since that initial wave of drinking restrictions 40 years ago, though, some states have started to rethink their laws. Kansas was the first state to repeal its total ban on happy hour specials in 2012, with Illinois and Oklahoma following suit in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Yahoo News used data from the Alcohol Policy Information System to map where bans on happy hour and unlimited drink specials remain.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Cruise expert issues major warning for unruly passengers
A cruise expert has issued a warning to Britons as more than 2.4 million passengers are to set sail this year. Many cruise guests opt to pay for an unlimited alcohol package with their holiday. But there's a key mistake that could cause holidaymakers to have their travel insurance voided. Mark Barton, cruise expert at travel insurance provider Avanti, says: 'Cruise holidays are meant to be relaxing, but some guests can treat the unlimited drinks package like a personal challenge - and that's when trouble starts. 'What many don't realise is that any medical emergency that's alcohol-related such as injuries, falls, or even alcohol poisoning, could void your travel insurance, leaving you to foot a medical bill. 'That could leave you facing thousands of pounds in medical costs abroad and even being removed from the ship at the next port.' Travel insurance often won't cover injuries which could have been caused by alcohol. Passengers could also see themselves removed from the ship or even put in the ship's brig, an onboard jail, if they break the rules due to drunken behaviour. Mark adds: 'All ships have dedicated security personnel onboard who operate 24/7. These security officers are trained in crowd control, conflict resolution, and emergency response, so they'll be on hand to step in should any passengers become rowdy due to excessive drinking. 'If a passenger does become disorderly, or poses a risk to others, security officers might escort them back to their cabin, or even temporarily confine them in a holding area, if necessary, until they sober up.' So, while it might be tempting to indulge in an all-inclusive package, it's important not to drink too much. And if it's another passenger's drinking is causing concern, Mark has urged guests to 'report' the behaviour. He says: 'If you're faced with a drunken passenger and can't see any staff around, look for an emergency phone, which is located around the ship, to report the location and behaviour. 'Never try to physically intervene or argue, as your travel insurance may not cover any injury sustained during a physical altercation. It's always best to let the ship's trained staff handle it.' Drinking can also cause passengers to become dehydrated which could be dangerous onboard the ship.
