Alcohol Warning Labels
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health is holding hearings on a Private member’s bill which would compel alcohol beverage manufacturers to put warning labels on all bottles warning consumers that they should not drink and drive, or drink while they are pregnant.
Several major research studies have concluded that labels have had no significant impact on consumption patterns in other jurisdictions around the world that use them. Moreover, in Canada, public awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and drinking during pregnancy is almost universal.
Literacy is an important limiting factor for labels. Warning labels of all kinds are proliferating in Canada, but far too many Canadians in high risk groups lack the ability to read them. For people who cannot understand them, warning labels serve no useful purpose.
The Canada Safety Council has expressed concern that alcohol warning labels will deliver no benefit to Canadian society and, more importantly, will divert resources and attention away from proven measures and personal interventions that actually can make a difference.
Return to top of page
|
