The Alcohol Policy in Ontario community of interest will bring together stakeholders and experts in the field of substance misuse from all levels of prevention: primary, secondary and tertiary.
The purpose of the Alcohol Policy in Ontario CoI is to prevent alcohol misuse (including addiction) at a population level vis-à-vis the implementation of evidence-informed interventions addressing the seven alcohol policy levers:
- Alcohol pricing and taxation
- Alcohol availability
- Managing the drinking environment
- Drinking and driving countermeasures
- Restrictions on marketing
- Education and persuasion
- Treatment and early intervention
Goals
The objectives of the Alcohol Policy in Ontario CoI and Working Group are to facilitate:
- more collaboration and partnership in sectors outside of public health
- easier access to high-quality evidence and evaluated programs that would allow for more efficient program and policy development/implementation at a jurisdictional level
- the creation of a forum for meaningful discussion regarding trending topics pertaining to alcohol policy at a provincial level.
Status
The CoI launched in 2017, and is currently moving into its third year of operation. A core working group helps move the CoI forward and consists of: researchers, public health, law enforcement, and a knowledge broker. The working group is currently looking for new members; if you are interested in getting involved please contact Rupinder.chera@camh.ca.
The CoI has supported the following activities:
- Webinars
- Infographics
- An online community with over 180 members
Member Organizations
General membership in the CoI includes stakeholders in: public health, law enforcement, education, hospitality, municipalities, professional organizations, non-governmental organizations, chronic disease and injury prevention, union associations, addiction and mental health agencies.
Member organizations include:
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Ontario Public Health Association Alcohol Work Group
- York Region
- University of Toronto
- Public Health Ontario
- Ontario Public Service Employees Union
- Ontario Provincial Police and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
- Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
COI Lead, Norman Giesbrecht, Emiretus Scientist, CAMH, Norman.Giesbrecht@camh.ca
Related resources, news, and events
Research Viewpoint: Mandating health and standard drink information labels on alcohol containers in Canada
Resource | Sept 11, 2023Infographic: Alcohol availability in Ontario
Resource | Jun 2, 2023Research Snapshot: Prevention of alcohol-related suicide: a rapid review
Resource | Mar 29, 2023Alcohol labeling: A tool to inform consumers about alcohol’s link to cancer
Resource | Jul 5, 2022Fact sheet: Alcohol and cancer
Resource | Jul 5, 2022Concerned about emergency room wait times? This infographic looks at the impact of alcohol sales
Resource | Jul 10, 2019