The Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction recently updated its guidelines on weekly alcohol consumption, dropping the maximum recommended intake from 15 drinks a week to just two.
Castanet hit the streets to hear what people think about the change.
“15 down to two – that’s quite a drop off that I don’t think a lot of people were expecting – but then again, I mean, people know what alcohol does to you. It’s a drug at the end of the day,” said a local man.
“Surprising… Disappointing going from two to three a day to two to three a week, but yeah. I think liquor is the new cigarettes for us,” said another man downtown.
Some people we spoke to were already actively trying to reduce their alcohol intake.
“Myself, I participated in Sober October, and I was going to do Dry January, but I went home to Winnipeg and when in Winnipeg… so I’m going to do Dry February instead. It’s always good to take a break, flush the system, reset the batteries.”
Along with guidelines, came a recommendation that Health Canada start requiring warning labels on all alcoholic beverages.
“I think it’s a great idea. As a breast cancer survivor and having had breast cancer this past year, I think it’s a really good idea,” said a woman.
While the new guidelines are in place to help people understand the potential risks of drinking alcohol, the Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction says no alcohol is the best way to live a happy and healthy lifestyle.
“Not drinking has benefits, such as better health, and better sleep,” says the agency.
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