Booze will flow more freely and conveniently beginning April 1, 2015. That's when the province will be loosening its liquor rules, allowing government liquor stores to provide chilled beer and wine and more of them to be on open Sundays. In addition, grocery stores will be allowed to sell liquor, albeit in a store-within-a-store system, while private liquor stores will be allowed to purchase cheaper alcohol from the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, making them more competitive.
Where is all this going to lead? While the province sees these changes as a way of liberating market forces, others may fear that people will over-consume if they can get wine, beer and distilled spirits too easily. Alcohol consumption has been rising for years, making British Columbians at greater risk for alcohol abuse, a problem with potentially high costs to the provincial health care system.
Along with more alcohol options, the government should also ramp up its education to make people aware of what constitutes healthy alcohol consumption and consider promoting alternatives with lower alcohol content while raising taxes on stronger coolers, beer and flavoured drinks.
