Item - 2017.HL18.1
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on March 28, 2017 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Board of Health on March 20, 2017 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on March 28, 2017.
HL18.1 - Municipal Alcohol Policy Update on Alcohol and Caffeinated Energy Drinks
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on March 28 and 29, 2017, adopted the following:
1. City Council amend the Municipal Alcohol Policy:
a. in the Roles and Responsibilities and Requirements sections of the Municipal Alcohol Policy, to:
i. require event organizers to be familiar with Health Canada’s caution statement “do not mix with alcohol” pertaining to caffeinated energy drinks;
ii. require event organizers to raise awareness of Health Canada's caution statement with event bartenders; and
iii. request event organizers to consider not selling and/or not distributing caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol; and
b. to clarify that the Municipal Alcohol Policy only applies to events held on property that is occupied, leased or licensed by the City in its sole capacity.
Background Information (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-101644.pdf
Attachment 1: List of City Agencies
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-101645.pdf
Attachment 2: Caffeinated Energy Drinks: Technical Report on Public Health Concerns and Regulation in Canada
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-101646.pdf
Attachment 3: Summary of Consultations for Updating the Municipal Alcohol Policy
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-101647.pdf
Presentation from the Acting Medical Officer of Health on Caffeinated Energy Drinks
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-102094.pdf
Communications (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/comm/communicationfile-67743.pdf
(March 17, 2017) E-mail from Craig Johnson (HL.New.HL18.1.2)
(March 20, 2017) Letter from Dr. Robert Mann, Senior Scientist and Dr. Hayley Hamilton, Scientist, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (HL.New.HL18.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/comm/communicationfile-67748.pdf
Communications (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
HL18.1 - Municipal Alcohol Policy Update on Alcohol and Caffeinated Energy Drinks
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Board Recommendations
The Board of Health recommends that:
1. City Council amend the Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP):
a. in the Roles and Responsibilities and Requirements sections of the MAP, to:
i. require event organizers to be familiar with Health Canada’s caution statement “do not mix with alcohol” pertaining to caffeinated energy drinks,
ii. require event organizers to raise awareness of Health Canada's caution statement with event bartenders, and
iii. request event organizers to consider not selling and/or not distributing caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol.
b. to clarify that the Municipal Alcohol Policy only applies to events held on property that is occupied, leased or licensed by the City in its sole capacity.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Board of Health:
1. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to continue to monitor the research regarding mixing Caffeinated Energy Drinks (CEDs) and alcohol.
2. Requested the report (February 16, 2017) from the Acting Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the City's agencies for their information and request them to take into consideration the City's Municipal Alcohol Policy.
3. Requested the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and Smart Serve Ontario to consider updating the Smart Serve® server training program to increase awareness of Health Canada’s caution statement not to mix alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks.
4. Requested the Ontario Ministry of Education to develop a campaign to raise awareness of the negative health impacts of Caffeinated Energy Drinks (CEDs) on youth in grades 7 to 12 and that the report (February 16, 2017) from the Acting Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to them for their review and feedback.
5. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report to the Board of Health on a potential sentinel study in hospital emergency, pediatric, and cardiology about the consumption of so-called caffeinated energy drinks, and blood tests for levels of caffeine and possibly other energy drink additives for patients exhibiting acute illness, to include but not limited to cardiac distress, convulsions, unexplained death, drivers in all vehicle accidents, and other relevant circumstances.
6. Requested the Medical Officer of Health and the Chair of the Board of Health to write a letter to the federal Minister of Health urging her to reinstate automatic disclosure of energy drink reports in the Adverse Reaction Database.
The Acting Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation to the Board of Health on Caffeinated Energy Drinks.
The Board of Health considered Items HL18.1 and HL18.2 together.
Origin
Summary
The Toronto Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP) promotes health and safety at events held on City property by reducing alcohol-related risks. The MAP was updated in 2014 to reflect health evidence and best practices to reduce alcohol-related harm. At that time, City Council approved the updates to the MAP with the exception of a policy statement restricting the sale of caffeinated energy drinks (CED) with alcohol. This report responds to the directive by City Council to the Medical Officer of Health to conduct consultations with third party operators and other stakeholders regarding the sale of CEDs at events where alcohol is served on City properties.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has consulted with festival and event organizers, the Canadian Beverage Association, Health Canada and other related agencies and organizations. Results from the consultations with event organizers and the Canadian Beverage Association provide mixed views on the impact of prohibiting the sale of CEDs at events where alcohol is served on City properties. Toronto Public Health also received input from City divisions including the City Manager's Office, Legal Services, Economic Development and Culture, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and Facilities Management.
The practice of mixing CEDs with alcohol is increasingly common, especially among youth and young adults. Toronto Public Health consulted Health Canada and reviewed the current evidence on the health risks associated with the consumption of alcohol with CEDs to inform this report. Since 2012, Health Canada has advised consumers not to mix CEDs with alcohol and has banned the use of CEDs as an ingredient in pre-mixed commercially available alcoholic beverages. Health Canada has confirmed that the advice not to mix alcohol with CEDs remains unchanged. Emerging evidence indicates adverse outcomes such as an increased likelihood of injuries following the consumption of alcohol combined with CEDs.
This report recommends that City Council approve amendments to the MAP to increase awareness of Health Canada's caution statement not to mix energy drinks with alcohol among event organizers and workers at Special Occasion Permit (SOP) or Catering Endorsement events on property that is occupied, leased or licensed by the City in its sole capacity. Furthermore, it is recommended that event organizers consider not allowing the sale or distribution of CEDs at SOP or Catering Endorsement events on City property. The report also recommends that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) consider updating the Smart Serve® mandatory server training program so as to increase awareness of Health Canada's recommendation not to mix alcohol with CEDs.
Toronto Public Health will continue to monitor evidence on this issue, including the progress on federal regulations, and will update the MAP as required. Toronto Public Health will also continue targeted public education about the risks of consuming alcohol mixed with CEDs.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-101644.pdf
Attachment 1: List of City Agencies
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-101645.pdf
Attachment 2: Caffeinated Energy Drinks: Technical Report on Public Health Concerns and Regulation in Canada
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-101646.pdf
Attachment 3: Summary of Consultations for Updating the Municipal Alcohol Policy
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-101647.pdf
Presentation from the Acting Medical Officer of Health on Caffeinated Energy Drinks
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-102094.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/comm/communicationfile-67743.pdf
(March 17, 2017) E-mail from Craig Johnson (HL.New.HL18.1.2)
(March 20, 2017) Letter from Dr. Robert Mann, Senior Scientist and Dr. Hayley Hamilton, Scientist, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (HL.New.HL18.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/hl/comm/communicationfile-67748.pdf
Speakers
Dr. Robert Mann, Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Craig Johnson, Teacher, Toronto District School Board
Dave Bryans, CEO, Ontario Convenience Stores Association
Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker
Motions
That a new recommendation be added as follows:
"The Board of Health request the Ontario Ministry of Education develop a campaign to raise awareness of the negative health impacts of CEDs on youth in grades 7 to 12 and that this report be forwarded to them for their review and feedback."
That:
1. The Medical Officer of Health be requested to report to the Board of Health on a potential sentinel study in hospital emergency, pediatric, and cardiology about the consumption of so-called caffeinated energy drinks, and blood tests for levels of caffeine and possibly other energy drink additives for patients exhibiting acute illness, to include but not limited to cardiac distress, convulsions, unexplained death, drivers in all vehicle accidents, and other relevant circumstances.
2. The Medical Officer of Health and the Chair of the Board of Health be requested to write a letter to federal Minister of Health urging her to reinstate automatic disclosure of energy drink reports in the Adverse Reaction Database.