What is NASAC?
The National Alcohol Strategy Advisory Committee (NASAC) is a national coalition working to reduce alcohol-related harms and improve health and well-being across Canada.
NASAC brings together organizations and experts from across the country to advance evidence-informed alcohol policies, programs and practices.
This coalition was initially established in 2008, following the release of Canada’s National Alcohol Strategy in 2007. Its purpose and mandate at that time was to lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy’s recommendations.
Why NASAC Exists
Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of chronic disease, cancer, injury, social harm and economic costs in Canada. Changes in how alcohol is priced, marketed, sold and made available continue to create public health challenges.
NASAC provides a national forum for organizations working on alcohol-related issues to share evidence, coordinate their efforts and strengthen the public health voice in alcohol policy discussions.
What NASAC does
NASAC supports coordinated action on alcohol policy among NGOs, the academic community and across three levels of government:
- Federal: Advancing national legislation and policies that reflect public health evidence and best practices.
- Provincial and territorial: Supporting the development and strengthening of alcohol strategies focused on public health, equity and prevention.
- Municipal: Encouraging local alcohol strategies that help communities reduce alcohol-related harms.
NASAC also:
- Promotes the mobilization of Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health.
- Raises awareness of alcohol-related health risks, including cancer.
- Supports access to clear, accurate, and understandable health and safety information about alcohol.
- Shares emerging research and evidence.
- Provides scientific and technical advice to policy and practice partners.
- Identifies and responds to emerging alcohol policy issues.
- Supports collaboration across prevention, treatment, harm reduction, recovery, health care, public health, public safety, research and policy.
- Monitors alcohol policy developments in Canada and internationally.
Who Participates?
NASAC's representation reflects people in the following areas who are actively engaged in fulfilling its mandate:
- Public health
- Health care
- Health charities
- Community-based organizations
- Professional associations
- Research and academic institutions
- Public safety
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations
- Northern, rural and remote organizations
- Lived and living experience organizations
- Youth-serving organizations
- Other organizations that support NASAC’s public health mandate
NASAC operates independently of alcohol industry influence. Organizations representing alcohol industry interests are not eligible for membership, and NASAC does not accept alcohol industry funding.
How NASAC is Structured
NASAC is guided by a Steering Committee, which sets strategic direction, establishes priorities and oversees NASAC’s work.
The Steering Committee may create working groups to focus on specific priorities, such as:
- Alcohol labelling and consumer information
- Pricing and taxation
- Public awareness and communications
- Research and evidence
- Government relations
- Treatment and brief intervention
- Impaired driving
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) serves as co-chair and secretariat for NASAC. In this role, CCSA provides administrative and coordination support, including organizing meetings, engaging members, tracking the workplan, supporting knowledge mobilization and coordinating working groups.
A Government Relations Chair supports NASAC in understanding government processes and coordinating policy engagement in line with the committee’s priorities and governance.
How Often Does NASAC Meet?
- The Steering Committee meets virtually at least four times a year.
- Working groups meet virtually as needed.
- Additional meetings may be held when emerging alcohol policy issues require timely discussion and/or evidence-informed responses.
Contact Us
For more information about NASAC, email alcohol@ccsa.ca.
Resources
- Alcohol Warning Labels: Evidence and Public Health Impact — CCSA webpage
- Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health — CCSA final report
- Know Your Standard Drink — CCSA summary poster
- Alcohol Deficit in Canada: 6 Things You Need to Know — CCSA infographic
- AlcoholAndHealth.ca — alcohol policies for health and safety
- KnowAlcohol.ca — information on health risks and costs of alcohol
- CAPE 3.0 — research on alcohol policies in Canada to reduce harm
- DrinkLessLiveMore.ca — CCSA website on Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health
- Your Drink. Your Call. — CCSA student-focused alcohol awareness campaign
