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Youth and Alcohol: A National Survey

NCJ Number
169956
Date Published
1991
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This document reports the findings of a survey of junior and senior high school students to determine their knowledge about alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Abstract
A random national sample of 956 junior and senior high school students participated in structured interviews to determine their ability to distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Findings include: (1) two out of three students cannot distinguish alcoholic from non-alcoholic beverages; (2) the students confuse alcoholic coolers with mineral waters that appear similar in color, labeling, and packaging; (3) some alcoholic coolers are not clearly labeled alcoholic; (4) in most States, beer and other malt beverage labels do not disclose alcohol content; (5) the alcohol content of beverages is a mystery to students, because of their inability to understand the labels or the labels' lack of clarity; and (6) more than a third of all students do not know that Cisco, a popular drink that students have found ways to acquire, contains alcohol. The report recommends that The Surgeon General work with the beverage industry and State and Federal officials to improve beverage labeling and packaging; and consult with public and private agencies to develop, improve, and promote educational programs which would increase student awareness of alcoholic beverages and their effects. Notes, appendix