2 of 8

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

of alcohol advertising are 50 percent more likely to drink than those who were exposed to few advertisments. This relationship is especially pronounced for young female drinkers, who often feel under pressure to have sex. This pressure is exploited by such advertisements as Cuervo's "Bad girls make good company", or Martell's "Be at least capable of bad." Some experts state that alcohol companies are aware of the effects of their advertising. Alcohol companies, they say, know that, like tobacco, a customer hooked early is a customer for life. Alcohol advertising is self-regulated. This lack of accountability has led to a deplorable state for the nation's youths. The industry has a social obligation to moderate its practices to limit the amount of underage drinking. To reduce the number of youths who drink they could refrain from promotional activities that have particular appeal to young people, such as sporting events or television advertisements in programs known to include a significant number of young people.

In today's society, alcohol is readily available and promoted. Alcohol use is considered a normal part of everyday life, and of growing up. Underage drinking, however, is a lethal danger that shows every sign of getting worse. Underage drinking is a danger not only to the individual but also society as a whole. There are many possible initiatives that could help curb this problem, but a major step would be for the alcohol advertisers to stand up, be responsible, and stop selling their drug to the nation's youths.

Learn more about this author, GarethT.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about The perils of teenage drinking?
We want to hear your view. Write now!