Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

June 8, 2023

From:
Dr. Ian Gemmill
Acting Medical Officer of Health 
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

In this Issue:

1. New Guidance on Alcohol and Health 
2. Smoking Treatment 

News & Updates

New Guidance on Alcohol and Health

Earlier this year, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) released the Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Final Report. As per this new guidance, there is:

• No risk for alcohol-related consequences with 0 standard drinks per week
• Low risk for alcohol-related consequences with 1 to 2 standard drinks per week
• Moderate risk for alcohol-related consequences with 3 to 6 standard drinks per week
• High risk for alcohol-related consequences with 7 or more standard drinks per week

The Drinking Less is Better infographic summarizes the recommendations in simple terms and illustrations.

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of seven types of cancers, injury, violence, and many second-hand harms.

Healthcare providers should educate their patients about the CCSA’s new alcohol guidance by informing them:

• Any reduction in alcohol consumption is beneficial
• Zero alcohol consumption if pregnant or trying to get pregnant or when breastfeeding
• Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death, disability, and social problems

Health care provider tools will be released by CCSA mid-summer and will be shared in a future bulletin.

Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients

Public Health Ontario’s report on the Burden of Health Conditions Attributable to Smoking and Alcohol provides us with some staggering local data on yearly deaths, hospitalizations and ER visits related to smoking. Hastings Prince Edward Public Health region has long had some of the highest tobacco use rates in the province and this remains the case.

This report highlights the local and provincial impact of smoking on our healthcare systems. With 19.8 per cent of local deaths (almost one death per day), over 11 per cent of hospitalizations and almost 5 per cent of ER visits related to smoking, local numbers are some of the highest in the province.

The treatment of tobacco addiction must be a priority in order curb this trend. Health care providers can refer residents to the CAMH STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) program using this referral form.

Residents can also self-refer by calling or emailing the HPEPH tobacco Talk Line at 1-800-267-2803, ext. 600 or 613-966-5500 ext. 600, ttl@hpeph.ca.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

To report AEFI or DOPHS: Online / Fax: 613-966-1813 or CDCFAX1@hpeph.ca

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

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