Citation

Mosher JF. Am. J. Public Health 2012; 102(5): 778.

Affiliation

James F. Mosher, JD, is with Alcohol Policy Consultations, Felton, CA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2011.300634

PMID

22420799

Abstract

When Smith quotes from a 2003 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report that "consumers who are 21 to 27 are the largest single group of FMB users, the majority of FMB drinkers are over the age of 27,"(1) he is taking a statement out of context. The FTC was reporting data received from flavored malt beverage (FMB) marketers. In their FTC submissions, the companies did not include information regarding underage consumption of their products. Thus, Smith's chosen citation only refers to drinkers over age 21. As noted by the FTC, "there … are no data on whether or how many teens drink FMBs, or the impact of FMB advertising on such drinking."(1) The research reviewed in my article-all of which was completed subsequent to the FTC report-demonstrates the strong youth appeal of FMBs (also known as alcopops). (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print March 15, 2012: e1. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300634).

Language: en