Alcohol Survey Results

Sandra Dunham

Last month we asked our readers for their thoughts about Canada’s new safe drinking guidelines. Thanks to the 49 people who submitted responses. Here’s what you told us.

Eleven percent (11%) of respondents have not heard of the new guidelines. 32% of respondents do not find the results surprising. 28% are surprised by the guidelines, but believe that they are true. 30% of respondents think the guidelines are ridiculous. (note that totals do not add up to 100% due to rounding)

We asked whether the guidelines would change people’s drinking habits. Thankfully, the new guidelines have not upset any of the respondents enough to cause them to drink more.  Approximately 20% of respondents will drink less as a result of these new guidelines. 10% will reduce consumption to 2 or fewer drinks per week as suggested by the guidelines, and 10 % will reduce their consumption but still drink more than 2 drinks per week. About 57% of respondents already consume 2 or fewer drinks per week (about half of these don’t drink at all.) Just 22% of respondents will continue to drink at their current rate in excess of 2 drinks per week.

We asked about whether including the number of standard drinks per container on the label would influence drink buying decisions. 61% of respondents said it would never have an influence while just 4 % indicated that it would always have an influence. The remainder indicated that it would sometimes have an influence. 

As always the comments provide great insight into our readers views, which, in this case are quite diverse. 

Some of our respondents expressed concerns about the methodology (the meta study rules eliminated all but a tiny number of original studies and included a public opinion poll); the agenda of the organization that performed the study, the lack of qualitative data that would help readers evaluate the information, contradictory studies and the changing food and drink advice we have received over the years. One respondent indicated that this was a political decision. Still another reader encourages more focus on obesity which they claim is a bigger health concern than alcohol.

Many people cited their personal circumstances for following or ignoring the guidelines. Other readers felt that the guidelines were spot on, accurate and overdue.  

As always, CFIC encourages individuals to critically evaluate information and make their own decisions.