To help reduce the risks and harms of alcohol, there is a need for laws, policies and regulations. The NSAPC was created in 2021 by members of Nova Scotia communities to advocate for safer and healthier alcohol policy for all Nova Scotians.
Photo background: “Get Drunk, Fall Down” and “Fountain”, also known as the Drunken Lampposts is an art installation on the Halifax waterfront.
Why we do what we do …
230
The number of ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS each year in Nova Scotia
SOURCE: Changing the culture of alcohol use in Nova Scotia: an alcohol strategy to prevent and reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm in Nova Scotia, 2007
(http://www.gov.ns.ca/ohp/publications/alcohol_strategy.pdf)
13.4
AVERAGE AGE at the time of FIRST ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION in Nova Scotia
SOURCE: Nova Scotia Student Drug Use Survey 2012: Technical Report.
(http://novascotia.ca/dhw/publications/Student-Drug-Use-Survey-Report.pdf)
1IN5
Number of Nova Scotians who reported BINGE DRINKING* AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH
*Binge drinking is defined as consuming 5 or more drinks on a single occassion and 4 or more for females
SOURCE: Statistics Canada, 2012. Statistics Canada defines binge drinking as having more than five drinks on one occasion. (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/health80b-eng.htm)
carcinogen
Alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago – this is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco.
SOURCE: World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health
>2 DRINKS
Canadian Alcohol Guidelines recommends no more than 1 to 2 standard drinks per week.
SOURCE: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
https://ccsa.ca/canadas-guidance-alcohol-and-health
every10 seconds
Worldwide, 3 million people die each year as a result of harmful use of alcohol – one every 10 seconds – representing about 5% of all deaths.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/alcohol/
224 million
ANNUAL PROVINCIAL REVENUE from the sale of alcohol
SOURCE: Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Public Health Officer, Nova Scotia, 2011
242.9MILLION
ANNUAL PROVINCIAL COSTS associated with misuse of alcohol
SOURCE: Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Public Health Officer, Nova Scotia, 2011
3,100
Average number of ALCOHOL-RELATED HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS per year in Nova Scotia
SOURCE: Changing the culture of alcohol use in Nova Scotia: an alcohol strategy to prevent and reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm in Nova Scotia, 2007
(http://www.gov.ns.ca/ohp/publications/alcohol_strategy.pdf)
NSAPC Calendar of Events