Should Ontario's legal drinking age be higher than 19? Ford disagrees, despite alcohol's link to cancer: What to know

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford is disagreeing with the province's top doctor about implementing alcohol-related recommendations, particularly around raising the legal drinking age and warning about risks like cancer.

In an annual report, Ontario Chief Medical officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore recommended a variety of restrictions to alcohol, along with substances like vapes and illegal drugs. Released at the end of March, the report suggested adding warning labels to alcoholic drinks to outline the risks of drinking, such as cancer. It also suggested increasing the legal drinking age from 19 to 21.

"He has his opinion, we have ours. We believe in treating people like adults," Ford said on Wednesday in response.

According to the report, "alcohol is a leading cause of preventable death in Ontario and a significant cause of serious health harms." Moreover, an average year in the province sees around 4,330 (4.3 per cent) death, 22,009 (2.1 per cent) hospitalizations and 195,693 (3.7 per cent) of emergency department visits among people aged 15 and older can be attributed to alcohol use.

Still, the province is working on expanding the accessibility to alcohol over the next couple of years, aiming to allow the sale of beer, wine and mixed drinks at convenience and grocery stores. Last December, the government announced alcohol will be available outside of the Beer Store, Winerack and LCBO locations. However, LCBO stores will remain the only places to purchase spirits like gin and whiskey.

"Right across the world, you get to go into a retail store, a big box store and buy a bottle of wine with your steak, maybe a six-pack of beer," Ford added. "That's what we believe in."

While Ford noted he'll "always support" Moore in his position as top doctor, he doubled down on the fact that if 19-year-olds can join the Canadian Armed Forces, they should be allowed to drink alcohol.

"I disagree with raising the age to 21," he said. "One of my principles is, these young people put a uniform on and go fight for freedom ... and they can't go back later and have a beer. That doesn't cut it, that was one of my principles."

While the government has indicated it's "not exploring" the expert recommendations, studies have shown alcohol has been linked to multiple types of cancer including breast, colon, esophageal, liver and mouth. So, should you worry about how much your drinking may be impacting your health? Read on to learn more.

How certain foods and beverages are linked to cancer

Substances known as carcinogens have been scientifically proven to cause or contribute to the development of cancer.

Carcinogens can be found in our environment, in chemicals and substances we come in contact with, and are found in the food and drinks we consume.

Certain foods like red meat and processed meats are considered carcinogenic. Additionally, sugary drinks have been indirectly linked to cancer because they contribute to weight gain, which is a risk factor for the condition.

Alcohol is considered a group one carcinogen and a significant contributor to the development of cancer.

Canadian guidelines for drinking

While previous advice set out by Canada's low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines indicated that women should have no more than 10 drinks a week and men should stick to no more than 15 drinks a week, new guidelines indicate that more than two drinks a week can put you at a higher risk of developing cancer.

Five types of cancer linked to alcohol consumption

Below are five common cancers that have been scientifically linked to drinking alcohol.

1. Breast cancer

The link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer has not been unanimously defined. However, the leading theory is that alcohol consumption contributes to estrogen circulation in women who have not yet undergone menopause, which is necessary for breast cancer to develop.

According to Cancer Care Ontario, females who have at least two drinks of alcohol per day increase their risk of developing breast cancer by up to 31 per cent compared to individuals who don't drink. This risk is lowered to a 10 per cent increase in women who only drink one alcoholic beverage daily.

2. Colon cancer

Alcohol contributes to the development colon cancer through the creation of polyps. This happens when your body processes alcohol, which can damage colon cell DNA.

In 2020, a study by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer found that alcohol consumption was linked to 20 per cent of new colon cancer cases in Canada.

3. Esophageal cancer

Drinking alcohol can dramatically increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer.

A study from McGill University found that heavy drinkers increased their risk of esophageal cancer by seven times compared to non-drinkers. The risk of developing esophageal cancer increases when combined with smoking tobacco.

4. Liver cancer

People are encouraged to avoid alcohol for their liver health, but they're often unaware drinking can contribute to alcohol-induced liver cancer and disease.

However, the link between alcohol and liver cancer has been defined as "probable" by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund because liver cirrhosis typically encourages people to stop drinking.

5. Mouth and throat cancers

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing mouth and throat cancers. Aside from altering your DNA and affecting your hormonal balance, alcohol can alter your cellular makeup in this area of the body. As a result, the cells of your mouth and throat may be more permeable to potential carcinogens.

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