They are fruity, fizzy and sugary-sweet. But sugar content is not your biggest worry with these beverages; they also contain alcohol.
“Alcopops” are fruit-flavored, malt-based drinks that come in brightly colored packaging attractive to minors. Popular alcopop brands include Smirnoff Ice, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Bacardi Breezer and Skyy Blue. Their strong, sweet flavorings conceal their alcoholic taste, making alcopops more palatable to new drinkers.
Many adolescents think that alcopops are safer than other alcoholic drinks; after all, the alcoholic industry calls them “low-alcohol refreshers.” However, these drinks usually contain the same amount — or more — alcohol than many beers.
As with all alcoholic drinks, alcopops are dangerous for minors. New research shows that brain development continues into adolescence and young adulthood and that drinking alcohol can hinder this development. In addition, drinking in adolescence is linked to adulthood addiction. A recent study found that nine of 10 Americans who are addicted to alcohol began drinking before the age of 18.
Among people under 18, 30% say alcopops are their favorite alcoholic drink. The popularity of these drinks among minors may be related to advertisement. Minors see 65% more alcopop magazine advertisements than do those who are over 21.
But advertisements aren’t the only influence on adolescents; parents have power to pressure their teen out of drinking. To help teens develop responsible attitudes towards alcohol, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers the following advice to parents:
Monitor your teen’s use of alcohol.
Lay down firm rules about drinking.
Do not drink and drive yourself.
Do not joke about alcohol use.
Do not encourage your teen to drink with you.
Show your teens that fun can be had without alcohol.
© 2012 American Academy of Pediatrics. This Parent Plus may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.
