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More children exposed to alcohol ads, according to study

By Staff Writer

A recent study of fifth and sixth grade students who had seen beer advertisements showed a more favorable attitude toward alcohol, according to Alcohol Information, a statistics site. Addiction in families has been known to negatively impact children, but advertising has a significant influence as well.

A new study conducted by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) found that alcohol advertising increased by 71 percent between 2001 and 2009. As a result, the average number of alcohol ads that a child sees per year rose from 217 in 2001 to 366 in 2009.

CAMY director David Jernigan says that the study showed that federal regulations on this type of marketing have clearly been ineffective. He also considers the escalation in the number of advertisements children are exposed to be alarming.

The study showed that a high number of alcohol commercials were aired while adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20 were watching television, as opposed to those who are 21 and older.

By the time children reach their senior year of high school, 80 percent say they have consumed alcohol, according to Alcohol Information. Anti-drug community groups can provide substance abuse help for individuals who have become dependent on alcohol.