Nine in every ten parents of college-age students believe that spring break marketing that focused on heavy alcohol consumption should be stopped, and more than half were unaware that such marketing practices existed, according to survey results from the American Marketing Association.
According to the AMA, ads that tout heavy drinking and sex reach college students through e-mail, direct mail and campus-based advertising.
The AMA cited ads that offer "booze cruises," and "all-you-can-drink specials" as the types of lures companies direct at underage students.
"The tourism and alcohol industries promote heavy drinking and sex, creating an environment that can lead to rape, fatal injuries and death by alcohol poisoning," said J. Edward Hill, MD, AMA chair-elect, in a statement. "We agree with parents that we must put an end to these promotions that target students, most of whom are underage."
The AMA study surveyed 500 U.S. residents aged 21 and older during February.
