Exposure to alcohol advertising linked to teen drinking

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-09-07 03:00

Australia; VIC

What does this mean?

Jump to: MultimediaAttachmentsExpert Reaction

Adverts for alcoholic beverages could be influencing high school-aged students' underage drinking, according to Aussie scientists. They surveyed over 3600 students aged 12-17 years about the frequency and location of their exposure to alcohol advertisements, and compared those numbers to whether the kids regularly, or ever consumed alcohol. Television (61%), the internet (56%) and at sporting events (50%) were the most common places they were exposed, but the team found they were also exposed via print and social media, as well as billboards and bus shelters. The authors found weekly exposure to a combination of all the advert locations was associated with being a drinker (in comparison to not drinking or drinking irregularly). Additionally, they found exposure via TV and sporting events was associated with being an irregular drinker. As students’ levels of cumulative exposure to alcohol advertising increased, so too did their likelihood of being a drinker, the authors add.