Alcohol: by the numbers

Canadians spend $18 billion a year on beer and liquor, consuming about six times more beer than wine. A sampling of statistics on Canadians' drinking habits.

$18 billion

Total sales at beer and liquor stores in Canada in the fiscal year ending March 2007, a five per cent increase from the previous year.

47

Beer sales comprised 47 per cent of total alcohol sales in 2007. That's down from 52 per cent in 1997.

2.3 billion

Number of litres of beer Canadians purchased in 2007.

28

Wine accounted for 28 per cent of the alcohol market in 2007, up from 21 per cent in 1997.

71

71 per cent of spirits sold in Canada in 2007 were Canadian spirits, with whisky, scotch and bourbon being the most popular choices.

$667

The amount, on average, each Canadian spent on alcohol in 2007.

$463

The amount that alcohol abuse costs every Canadian a year, in lost productivity, heath-care costs and crime-related costs, according to a 2008 study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

5

Alcohol's ranking on a list of harmful substances, behind heroin, cocaine, barbiturates and street methadone. Cannabis was 11th on the list, compiled by researchers at Bristol University in the U.K.

1,280-1,500

Mothers Against Drunk Driving estimates that there are between 1,280 and 1,500 deaths as a result of impaired driving in Canada every year, or about four every day.