Canada may pass a new liquor law

The Canadian government is considering a new law that should reduce alcohol consumption among the population and prevent new cases of addiction. However, it is not related to the financial side, but is aimed at informing people about the potential risks.

The stereotype that northern people like to drink is true of Canadians. They do drink a lot, and even high alcohol taxes don't stop them. Many crimes in the country are committed because of intoxication, and it also takes a toll on the country's budget. Alcohol abuse makes people sick and decreases their ability to work. Sometimes they become a danger to society. It turns out that Canadian health care spends millions of CAD to treat alcohol-related illnesses, and Canadian employers lose money when their employees perform poorly due to hangovers. But the saddest part is the loss of human life. Periodically, someone gets behind the wheel drunk and hits pedestrians, and someone gets into a violent fight.

The bill was proposed by Senator Patrick Brazeau. This remarkable politician used to be a Marine and a karate champion. He became the youngest senator in Canadian history. He is also a Native Canadian — an Indian. He used to have a big drinking problem: he drank a lot and often missed Senate meetings. He was accused of domestic violence, and in 2016 he attempted suicide — he was found bleeding and with cut wounds on his throat. Everyone expected his political career to end, but Brazeau was able to pull himself together. He had not had a drop of alcohol in the past three years, had successfully returned to work and had once again won the trust of Canadians. Now he is pushing a new liquor bill. According to it, every bottle of a drink with degrees must contain the label "Beware, It Causes Cancer!".

Alcohol does have scientifically proven carcinogenic effects. Patrick Brazeau points out that it is the only one of the strongest carcinogens that is not banned from public sale. He believes that people must be warned clearly and understandably about the risks associated with alcohol. In his opinion, scientists, doctors and politicians should not say "alcohol can be dangerous to your health", but "alcohol causes cancer, legal problems and mental degradation".

If Canadians know that alcohol can put them at risk for malignant tumors, they might start drinking less. Still, they take care of their health — they try to eat right, go to the gym, and enjoy winter sports. The prospect of getting cancer scares them, but they rarely associate it with drinking.

Brazeau's mother died of cancer, so he knows how horrible the disease is. Statistics show that more than 25 percent of Canadians who drink regularly are unaware of the diseases that alcohol causes. The senator hopes to change that, but he doesn't believe his colleagues. They are now considering his bill, S-254. The problem is that many politicians love alcohol and very influential businessmen benefit from selling it. Making beer, vodka, liquor and brandy is an important part of the Canadian economy that may not want to be interfered with.

Brazeau intends to fight to the end and spread the word about the dangers of drinking. He has 26 more years as a senator ahead of him. Doctors and police officers support him, but liquor manufacturers and retailers are skeptical. Many members of the government don't want to cut a source of revenue — taxes from liquor regularly fill the coffers. The result of the vote on the bill will be known in the coming months. Now it is being considered in Parliament.