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Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (Summary)

  • Reduce long-term health risks by drinking no more than 10 drinks a week for women or 15 drinks a week for men and avoid drinking on some days each week
  • Reduce risk of injury and harm by drinking no more than 3 drinks (for women) or 4 drinks (for men) on any single occasion
  • Do not drink in situations where any impairment reduces ability to function safely and responsibly (e.g., when driving)
  • The safest choice is to not drink at all while pregnant, planning to become pregnant or before breastfeeding
  • Children and youth should delay drinking until the late teens, talk with their parents about drinking, and never drink more than 2 drinks (for girls) and 3 drinks (for boys) on any one day

BC Resources on Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines

The following documents are part of the Supporting Health and Life series on Here to Help. Each is a single page and designed to raise awareness about Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines.

Other resources developed in British Columbia include:

About the Guidelines

These guidelines, intended for Canadians of legal drinking age who choose to drink alcohol, are informed by the most recent and best available scientific research and evidence. They are intended to provide consistent information across the country to help Canadians moderate their alcohol consumption and reduce their immediate and long-term alcohol-related harm.

Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines were developed by a team of independent Canadian and international experts, on behalf of the 25 members of the National Alcohol Strategy Advisory Committee.

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