Alcohol policy and cancer in Canada

Learn about the relationship between alcohol and cancer, as well as policy actions that minimize harm

Alcohol and cancer

Alcohol is one of the top three causes of cancer deaths globally.

Alcohol is linked to at least seven types of cancer and nearly 7,000 annual cancer deaths in Canada.1

Read key statistics about Alcohol and cancer

The Strategy

This resource supports Priority 1 of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control which is to decrease the risk of people getting cancer.

Learn more about the Strategy about The Strategy

Alcohol policy actions

Alcohol policy actions icon imageGiven the risks associated with alcohol, federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments in Canada have an important role in developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-informed alcohol policies. This effort requires a multi-sectoral approach to mobilize effective action across several policy areas, including alcohol taxes, availability, marketing and promotion, and many other proven strategies.

A comprehensive and coordinated response to alcohol consumption trends and associated harms could have a substantial and positive impact in reducing the risk and incidence of alcohol-related cancers in Canada.

Read about policy actions about Alcohol policy actions

Webinars

Webinars organized with health partners

Four webinars, in a series called “Alcohol Policy in Canada,” were organized in a collaborative effort between the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, and the Canadian Public Health Association to explore the current state of alcohol policy, public health, and cancer prevention.

Watch the recordings below.

Partnership webinar

“Policy actions to reduce alcohol-related harms” was part of a Partnership-run cancer prevention webinar series called “Policy actions to prevent cancer.”

1Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Update of Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines: Final Report for Public Consultation [report]. 2022. Available at: https://ccsa.ca/update-canadas-low-risk-alcohol-drinking-guidelines-final-report-public-consultation-report