A relatively small number of alcohol brands dominate underage youth alcohol consumption, according to a new report from researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health

Rank, BrandReported Use in Previous 30 Days Among Underage Youth 1. Bud Light27.9%2. Smirnoff Malt Beverages17.0%3. Budweiser14.6%4. Smirnoff Vodkas12.7%5. Coors Light12.7%6. Jack Daniel's Bourbons11.4%7. Corona Extra11.3%8. Mike's10.8%9. Captain Morgan Rums10.4%10. Absolut Vodkas10.1%
Of the top 25 consumed brands, 12 were spirits brands (including four vodkas), nine were beers, and four were flavored alcohol beverages.
"For the first time, we know what brands of alcoholic beverages underage youth in the U.S. are drinking," said study author David Jernigan, PhD, CAMY director. "Importantly, this report paves the way for subsequent studies to explore the association between exposure to alcohol advertising and marketing efforts and drinking behavior in young people."
Alcohol is responsible for 4,700 deaths per year among young people under the age of 21. More than 70 percent of high school students have consumed alcohol, and about 22 percent engage in heavy episodic drinking. At least 14 studies have found that the more young people are exposed to alcohol advertising and marketing, the more likely they are to drink, or if they are already drinking, to drink more.
The researchers surveyed 1,032 youth ages 13-20 via an Internet-based survey instrument. Respondents were asked about their past 30-day consumption of 898 brands of alcohol among 16 alcoholic beverage types, including the frequency and amount of each brand consumed in the past 30 days.
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Source-Eurekalert