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AMA finds "alcopops" attract underage girls to drinking

Physician Practice Advisor, December 21, 2004

Results of two nationwide polls conducted by the American Medical Association show that "alcopops," or sweet-flavored malt beverages, are being used by liquor companies to attract underage girls to drinking.

The findings of the polls show that the marketing of these beverages affect the teenage girl population the greatest. The polls found that:

• approximately one-third of teen girls report having tried alcopops, and one out of six have done so in the past six months
• 31% of teen girls have had alcopops in the past six months, compared to 19% of boys
• teen girls report drinking alcopops more than other alcoholic drinks, whereas women age 21 or older rank the drinks as their least-consumed alcoholic beverage
• nearly one in six teen girls who have consumed alcopops in the past six months have been sexually active after drinking
• 51% of teen girls have seen alcopop ads; nearly half of all girls ages 16-18 report seeing alcopop ads on TV, compared to only 34% of women 21 and older

The AMA said the poll results underscore the need for physicians to counsel young patients and parents of adolescent children on alcohol use, health risks, and advocate for policies that protect underage youth from the marketing tactics of the alcohol industry.

To assist physicians in their educational efforts, the AMA unveiled an informational poster for use in physicians' offices. The Girlie Drinks poster is the first in a series of educational materials that are being developed for physicians' offices that will help start a dialogue on this important health issue. The poster is available online at www.alcoholpolicymd.com.

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