Easy access to booze helped boost COVID pandemic drinking in Interior Health: study
The Interior Health region had the highest per capita alcohol consumption rate in B.C. during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new University of Victoria study.
From April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, Interior Health residents drank an average of 13.69 litres of pure alcohol for each person over the age of 15.
That compares to a provincial average of 9.32 litres per person. B.C. was already above the national average of 8.1 litres in 2019/20 at 8.8 litres per person.
“In the past, some regions have pointed to tourism as a reason for above-average consumption rates, the assumption being that visitors accounted for a good chunk of alcohol purchases,” Dr. Tim Naimi, director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, said in a news release. “Given the fact that B.C. saw many fewer tourists in the summer of 2020, this theory doesn’t appear to hold water.”
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He attributes the increase to easier access to alcohol, despite sales being down considerably in bars (down 60%) and restaurants (down 46%) because of COVID.
“It has never been easier to buy alcohol in B.C., and we know increased availability of alcohol leads to people drinking more,” Naimi said. “COVID-era changes to alcohol policy such as increased hours, government support for liquor retailers to develop online stores, expanded home delivery and declaring liquor stores an essential service have certainly played a role in these increases.”
Private liquor stores accounted for 55% of sales, up from 47% the year before. Private stores have sold the majority of liquor in B.C. since 2010.
The 9.32 litres of pure alcohol provincial average is the equivalent of 547 cans of 5% beer (the most popular beverage) or 104 bottles of 12% wine.
Vancouver Island was the second thirstiest health region at 11.54 litres of pure alcohol per person over the age of 15, compared to the 13.69 litres in the Interior.
The Fraser Health region, the largest in B.C., had the lowest consumption rate at 7.09 litres.
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