Increased in alcohol sales and consumption: Data, and policy implications

Abstract: This session describes the shift in trends in alcohol sales and consumption in the U.S., Canada, Norway, and Ireland. It will be moderated by Ann Mahony. In the first paper, Norman Giesbrecht will highlight 10 years of survey data, from Ontario,and possibly throughout Canada, during a time when official sales were on the increase and focus on changes in the prevalence of high risk drinking, amount consumed by high risk drinkers, other variables, including perceptions of alcohol policy. An aim would be to address competing hypotheses about whether or not rising consumption makes any difference with regard to high risk drinking. In the second paper, Jurgen Rehm will present data on increased sales and consumption in two European countries—Norway and Ireland and its implications. In the third paper, Tom Greenfield will describe the acute consequences from high risk drinking in a period of increasing consumption in the US and its demographic factors and policy implications. In the fourth paper, Bill Kerr will present U.S. data from both sales statistics and general population surveys indicate rising alcohol consumption. Implications of recent consumption trends for alcohol control policy and predictions for the near future will presented and discussed.