Exposure to Televised Alcohol Ads and Subsequent Adolescent Alcohol Use

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of televised alcohol commercials on adolescents' alcohol use. METHODS: Adolescents completed questionnaires about alcohol commercials and alcohol use in a prospective study. RESULTS: A one standard deviation increase in viewing television programs containing alcohol commercials in seventh grade was associated with an excess risk of beer use (44%), wine/liquor use (34%), and 3-drink episodes (26%) in eighth grade. The strength of associations varied across exposure measures and was most consistent for beer. CONCLUSIONS: Although replication is warranted, results showed that exposure was associated with an increased risk of subsequent beer consumption and possibly other consumption variables.