Alcohol use among Canadians

Alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive substance among Canadians.1,2 Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for global disease burden, including deaths and cancer development.3 Alcohol use is of particular concern among youth because they are at higher risk for alcohol-related harms.4 In 2017, the economic burden of alcohol use in Canada was estimated to be greater than $16 billion, with $5.4 billion of that sum spent on health care.5 The Canadian Alcohol Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines (LRDG) outline best practices for setting drink limits and when not to drink alcohol to reduce both the short- and long-term risks of alcohol-related harms among Canadians.6

The current page presents trends of alcohol use among Canadians 15 years of age and older from the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS) and the Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey (CADUMS). Trends of alcohol use among grade 7 to 12 Canadian students from the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS), formerly the Youth Smoking Survey (YSS), are also presented.

Graph Icon

Close to half of Canadian students in grades 7 to 12 report consuming alcohol in the past year (Figure 1)

  • The prevalence of past-12-month alcohol use among grade 7 to 12 students has been gradually decreasing from 61% in 2006-2007 to 40% in 2014-2015, but has increased to 44% in 2016-2017 before plateauing in 2018-2019.
    • A similar pattern was seen among males and females as well as students in grades 7 to 9 and grades 10 to 12.
  • The prevalence of past-12-month alcohol use was higher among grade 10 to 12 students, ranging from 58% to 76% between 2006-2007 and 2018-2019, compared to 20% to 45% among grade 7 to 9 students.
    • As grade increased, so did the prevalence of past-12-month alcohol use. Grade 12 students reported the highest prevalence of use, ranging from 67% to 82% between 2006-2007 and 2018-2019.
Figure 1. Prevalence (%) of past-12-month alcohol use, among grade 7 to 12* students, by sex and grouped grades, Canada¹, 2006-2007 to 2018-2019

*Secondary I-V in Québec.
¹Excluding the territories.
²Secondary I-III in Québec.
³Secondary IV-V in Québec.
Source: Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) 2006-2007 to 2012-2013; Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2014-2015 to 2018-2019.

Figure 1: Text description
Figure 1. Prevalence (%) of past-12-month alcohol use, among grade 7 to 12 students, by sex and grouped grades, Canada¹, 2006-2007 to 2018-2019
2006-2007 2008-2009 2010-2011 2012-2013 2014-2015 2016-2017 2018-2019
Overall 61.4 53.0* 45.4* 40.9* 39.5↑ 44.0* 44.1
[58.8-63.9] [50.6-55.4] [43.0-47.8] [38.1-43.7] [36.9-42.1] [42.4-45.6] [40.1-48.2]
Males 63.2 54.4* 46.6* 41.4* 39.0 44.2* 43.5↓
[60.6-65.8] [52.0-56.8] [44.1-49.1] [38.7-44.1] [36.2-41.9] [42.3-46.1] [40.2-46.7]
Females 59.4 51.2* 44.2* 40.4 40.0 43.8* 44.8
[56.3-62.4] [49.0-54.1] [41.4-46.9] [37.5-43.4] [37.5-42.5] [42.0-45.5] [39.5-50.1]
Grades 7 to 9² 45.5 ↓ 32.3* 26.7* 21.7* 19.6 23.1* 24.9
[42.7-48.2] [30.3-34.2] [24.9-28.6] [19.6-23.8] [17.1-22.1] [21.9-24.4] [23.2-26.6]
Grades 10 to 12³ 76.1 72.5↓ 62.8* 59.8 58.3 64.5* ↑ 63.5 ↑
[73.2-79.0] [68.7-76.3] [58.8-66.8] [55.8-63.7] [55.1-61.6] [62.0-67.1] [56.6-70.4]

[95% confidence intervals in brackets]

* Statistically significant difference from the previous cycle (P<0.05).

1 Excluding the territories.

2 Secondary I-III in Québec.

3 Secondary IV-V in Québec.

↑ Rounds up to whole number.

↓ Rounds down to whole number.

Source: Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) 2006-2007 to 2012-2013; Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2014-2015 to 2018-2019.


Group Icon

About a quarter of Canadian students in grades 7 to 12 report consuming alcohol in the past 30 days (Figure 2)

  • The prevalence of past-30-day alcohol use remained relatively stable among grade 7 to 12 students between 2014-2015 and 2018-2019, ranging from 27% to 28%.
    • A similar pattern was seen among males and females as well as students in grades 7 to 9 and grades 10 to 12.
  • The prevalence of past-30-day alcohol use was higher among grade 10 to 12 students, ranging from 41% to 42% between 2014-2015 and 2018-2019, compared to 12% to 14% among grade 7 to 9 students.
    • As grade increased, so did the prevalence of past-30-day alcohol use. Grade 12 students reported the highest prevalence of use, ranging from 47% to 52% between 2014-2015 and 2018-2019.
Figure 2. Prevalence (%) of past-30-day alcohol use, among grade 7 to 12 students*, by sex and grouped grades, Canada¹, 2014-2015 to 2018-2019

*Secondary I-V in Québec.
¹Excluding the territories.
²Secondary I-III in Québec.
³Secondary IV-V in Québec.
Source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2014-2015 to 2018-2019.

Figure 2: Text description
Figure 2. Prevalence (%) of past-30-day alcohol use, among grade 7 to 12 students, by sex and grouped grades, Canada¹, 2014-2015 to 2018-2019
2014-2015 2016-2017 2018-2019
Overall 27.7 27.1 27.4
[25.7-29.6] [25.7-28.6] [24.1-30.7]
Males 27.4 27.4 27.1
[25.3-29.4] [25.7-29.1] [24.4-29.9]
Females 28.0 26.8 27.7
[26.0-30.0] [25.3-28.4] [23.3-32.0]
Grades 7 to 9² 13.5↓ 12.1 13.6
[11.4-15.5] [11.1-13.0] [12.3-15.0]
Grades 10 to 12³ 41.1 42.1 41.4
[38.3-43.9] [39.7-44.5] [35.6-47.3]

Prevalence of past-30-day alcohol use has been measured since 2014-2015.

[95% confidence intervals in brackets]

1 Excluding the territories.

2 Secondary I-III in Québec.

3 Secondary IV-V in Québec.

↑ Rounds up to whole number.

↓ Rounds down to whole number.

Source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2014-2015 to 2018-2019.


Magnifying Glass Icon

Fewer Canadian students in grades 7 to 12 are reporting high-risk drinking than a decade ago, about a quarter of students have been reporting this behaviour since 2014-2015 (Figure 3)

  • The prevalence of past-12-month high-risk drinking among grade 7 to 12 students decreased from 39% in 2008-2009 to 24% in 2014-2015 and has continued to be relatively stable.
    • A similar pattern was seen among males and females as well as students in grades 7 to 9 and grades 10 to 12.
  • The prevalence of past-12-month high-risk drinking was higher among grade 10 to 12 students, ranging from 38% to 58% from 2006-2007 to 2018-2019, compared to 8% to 19% among grade 7 to 9 students.
    • As grade increased, so did the prevalence of past 12 month high-risk drinking. Grade 12 students reported the highest prevalence of use, ranging from 44% to 69% between 2006-2007 and 2018-2019.
Figure 3. Prevalence (%) of past-12-month high-risk drinking¹, among grade 7 to 12 students*, by sex and grouped grades, Canada², 2006-2007 to 2018-2019

*Secondary I-V in Québec.
¹High risk drinking refers to having 5 or more drinks on one occasion.
²Excluding the territories.
³Secondary I-III in Québec.
⁴Secondary IV-V in Québec.
Source: Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) 2006-2007 to 2012-2013; Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2014-2015 to 2018-2019.

Figure 3: Text description
Figure 3. Prevalence (%) of past-12-month high-risk drinking1, among grade 7 to 12 students, by sex and grouped grades, Canada2, 2006-2007 to 2018-2019
2006-2007 2008-2009 2010-2011 2012-2013 2014-2015 2016-2017 2018-2019
Overall 35.6 39.0* 33.3* 29.2* 23.7* 24.2 23.4
[33.4-37.8] [36.8-41.3] [31.0-35.5] [26.8-31.7] [22.0-25.3] [22.8-25.6] [21.1-25.8]
Males 37.9 40.6 35.1* 30.2* 23.7* 25.1 23.8
[35.3-40.4] [38.3-43.0] [33.0-37.2] [27.8-32.7] [21.7-25.7] [23.4-26.7] [21.6-25.9]
Females 33.2 37.4* 31.4* 28.2 23.6* 23.3 23.1
[30.7-35.7] [34.9-39.8] [28.7-34.1] [25.6-30.7] [22.0-25.2] [21.9-24.7] [20.1-26.2]
Grades 7 to 93 19.1 18.9 16.0 12.1* 8.4* 8.4 8.8
17.5-20.7] [17.2-20.5] [14.6-17.4] [10.7-13.5] [7.1-9.8] [7.7-9.1] [8.0-9.6]
Grades 10 to 124 52.4 58.1* 49.4* 46.2 38.1* 39.9 38.5↓
[48.9-55.9] [54.4-61.8] [45.6-53.2] [42.3-50.1] [35.6-40.7] [37.4-42.5] [34.1-42.9]

Survey questions on high-risk drinking in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009 were not identical which may contribute to the difference in results.

[95% confidence intervals in brackets]

* Statistically significant difference from the previous cycle (P<0.05).

1 High risk drinking refers to having 5 or more drinks on one occasion.

2 Excluding the territories.

3 Secondary I-III in Québec.

4 Secondary IV-V in Québec.

↑ Rounds up to whole number.

↓ Rounds down to whole number.

Source: Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) 2006-2007 to 2012-2013; Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2014-2015 to 2018-2019.


Figure 4. , among grade 7 to 12 students*, by sex and grouped grades, 2018-2019

Overall

Overall Pictogram

Sex

Male Pictogram

Female Pictogram

Grouped Grades2

*Secondary I-V in Québec.
1Excluding the territories.
2Grades 7 to 9 (Secondary I-III in Québec); Grades 10 to 12 (Secondary IV-V in Québec.)
3High risk drinking refers to having 5 or more drinks on one occasion.
4Sweetened high alcohol content beverages (7% alcohol or higher), (e.g., Four Loko, FCKD UP or Clubtails).
Source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2018-2019.

Figure 4: Text description
Figure 4. Alcohol use, among grade 7 to 12 students, by sex and grouped grades, Canada¹, 2018-2019
Overall Males Females Grades 7 to 92 Grades 10 to 123
Mean age at first use of alcohol (Yrs.) 13.4 13.3 13.6* 12.1 14.1#
[13.3-13.5] [13.2-13.4] [13.4-13.7] [12.0-12.2] [14.0-14.1]
Past-12-month alcohol use (%) 44.1 43.5↓ 44.8 24.9 63.5#
[40.1-48.2] [40.2-46.7] [39.5-50.1] [23.2-26.6] [56.6-70.4]
Past-30-day alcohol use (%) 27.4 27.1 27.7 13.6 41.4#
[24.1-30.7] [24.4-29.9] [23.3-32.0] [12.3-15.0] [35.6-47.3]
Past-12-month high-risk drinking4(%) 23.4 23.8 23.1 8.8 38.5#
[21.1-25.8] [21.6-25.9] [20.1-26.2] [8.0-9.6] [34.1-42.9]
Past-12-month use of high alcohol/ sweetened drinks5 (%) 19.4 16.4 22.5*↓ 9.2 29.6#
[16.8-22.0] [14.6-18.2] [18.8-26.1] [8.4-10.0] [25.0-34.3]

95% confidence intervals in brackets]

* Statistically significant difference between males and females (P<0.05).

# Statistically significant difference between grades 7 to 9 and grades 10 to 12 students (P<0.05).

1 Excluding the territories.

2 Secondary I-III in Québec.

3 Secondary IV-V in Québec.

4 High risk drinking refers to having 5 or more drinks on one occasion.

5 Sweetened high alcohol content beverages (7% alcohol or higher), (e.g., Four Loko, FCKD UP or Clubtails).

↑ Rounds up to whole number.

↓ Rounds down to whole number.

Source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2018-2019.


Figure 5: , among grade 7 to 12 students*, by province, Canada1, 2018-2019

The mean age at first use of alcohol (yrs.) in Canada among grade 7 to 12 students* was 13.4 years in 2018-2019.

* Secondary I-V in Québec.
1 Excluding the territories
2 High risk drinking refers to having 5 or more drinks on one occasion.
Source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2018-2019.

Figure 5: Text description
Figure 5. Alcohol use, among grade 7 to 12 students, by province, Canada¹, 2018-2019
Mean age at first use of alcohol (Yrs.) Past-12-month alcohol use (%) Past-30-day alcohol use (%) Past-12-month high-risk drinking² (%)
Canada 13.4 44.1 27.4 23.4
[13.3-13.5] [40.1-48.2] [24.1-30.7] [21.1-25.8]
Newfoundland 13.5 47.6 32.2 29.0
[13.4-13.6] [45.5-49.6] [30.2-34.2] [27.5-30.5]
Prince Edward Island 13.5 43.0 27.8 27.4
[13.4-13.7] [39.0-46.9] [24.0-31.5] [23.0-31.8]
Nova Scotia 13.4 41.2 24.7 24.8
[13.3-13.6] [38.5-43.8] [22.1-27.2] [22.7-27.0]
New Brunswick 13.5 48.8 31.9 31.2
[13.4-13.6] [46.8-50.8] [29.7-34.2] [29.1-33.2]
Québec3 13.1 53.1 36.0 27.2
[13.0-13.2] [49.7-56.6] [31.7-40.4] [24.6-29.7]
Ontario 13.7 39.4 22.6* 18.6
[13.5-14.0] [30.5-48.4] [15.4-29.9] [13.8-23.5]
Manitoba 13.5 40.7 24.6 23.4
[13.3-13.7] [33.4-48.0] [17.5-31.6] [17.2-29.6]
Saskatchewan 13.1 56.1 36.9 36.8
[12.9-13.2] [52.2-60.0] [33.1-47.7] [34.1-39.6]
Alberta 13.3 38.6 23.1 20.8
[13.1-13.5] [33.9-43.3] [18.4-27.7] [15.8-25.8]
British Columbia 13.3 50.2 33.1 31.3
[13.1-13.4] [46.9-53.5] [29.3-36.8] [28.1-34.5]

[95% confidence intervals in brackets]

1 Excluding the territories.

2 High risk drinking refers to having 5 or more drinks on one occasion.

3 Secondary I-V in Québec.

* Moderate sampling variability, interpret with caution.

↑ Rounds up to whole number.

↓ Rounds down to whole number.

Source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) 2018-2019.


More information and related material

Acknowledgement

The Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS), previously Youth Smoking Survey (YSS), has been conducted by The Propel Centre for Population Health Impact at the University of Waterloo for Health Canada since 2004-2005.

Notes on the data

The Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS), formerly the Youth Smoking Survey (YSS), collects information on substance use among grade 7 to 12 students (secondary I-secondary V in Quebec). The survey is conducted every other school year in the ten Canadian provinces, excluding the territories. YSS was first conducted in 1994 and was repeated in 2002; YSS has been collecting biennial data since 2004-2005. The CSTADS has been collecting biennial data since 2014-2015.

References

Footnote 1

Health Canada. Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS): Summary of results for 2017. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-tobacco-alcohol-drugs-survey/2017-summary.html

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Health Canada. Summary of results for the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey 2018-19.. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-student-tobacco-alcohol-drugs-survey/2018-2019-summary.html

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

GBD 2016 Alcohol Collaborators. Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 Lancet 2018 Sep 22; 392(10152):1015-1035.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Youth and alcohol. http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/CCSA-Youth-and-Alcohol-Summary-2014-en.pdf

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5

Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms Scientific Working Group. (2020). Canadian substance use costs and harms 2015–2017. (Prepared by the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.) Ottawa, Ont.: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

Return to footnote 5 referrer

Footnote 6

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Canada Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines [Brochure]. 2018. https://ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2020-07/2012-Canada-Low-Risk-Alcohol-Drinking-Guidelines-Brochure-en_0.pdf

Return to footnote 6 referrer

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