TY - JOUR
T1 - Underage drinkers’ first experience consuming a popular brand of supersized alcopop
AU - Rossheim, Matthew E.
AU - Greene, Kaylin M.
AU - Yurasek, Ali M.
AU - Barry, Adam E.
AU - Gonzalez-Pons, Kwynn M.
AU - Trangenstein, Pamela J.
AU - Cavazos, Tammy
AU - Nelson, Candace
AU - Treffers, Ryan D.
AU - Thombs, Dennis L.
AU - Jernigan, David H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2020/7/3
Y1 - 2020/7/3
N2 - Background: Supersized alcopops are sugar sweetened beverages with high alcohol concentration; Four Loko is the most commonly consumed brand among underage drinkers. Objectives: The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of Four Loko consumption, as well as drinking location, beverage source, quantity consumed, and alcohol-related consequences among students who consumed the product before age 21. Methods: Undergraduate drinkers (n = 1,019; 53.5% female) attending public universities in Florida, Montana, and Virginia completed a classroom survey. Multivariable logistic regression models examined first-time Four Loko experiences among students under age 21 at the time of the drinking episode (n = 336). Results: Among drinkers, 46% had consumed Four Loko. The vast majority (93%) drank the product before age 21. During their first Four Loko drinking episode, 57% consumed at least one can and 10% drank two or more cans. Among underage drinkers, being male (AOR = 6.8), paying for the Four Loko (AOR = 3.1), and earlier age of alcohol initiation (AOR = 0.8) were associated with greater odds of drinking at least one can. Among underage drinkers who finished at least one can, 36% blacked out and 21% vomited. The odds of blacking out and vomiting were greater if the participant drank at least one can (AOR = 6.0, AOR = 4.0). Students in states that sold Four Loko with higher alcohol-by-volume were more likely to blackout (AOR = 2.0) and vomit (AOR = 2.5). Conclusions: Delaying the age of first alcohol use may have protective effects on supersized alcopop consumption. Increased enforcement of existing laws is needed to prevent underage access to Four Loko. Further, laws that reduce the alcohol content of Four Loko may reduce negative consequences associated with its consumption.
AB - Background: Supersized alcopops are sugar sweetened beverages with high alcohol concentration; Four Loko is the most commonly consumed brand among underage drinkers. Objectives: The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of Four Loko consumption, as well as drinking location, beverage source, quantity consumed, and alcohol-related consequences among students who consumed the product before age 21. Methods: Undergraduate drinkers (n = 1,019; 53.5% female) attending public universities in Florida, Montana, and Virginia completed a classroom survey. Multivariable logistic regression models examined first-time Four Loko experiences among students under age 21 at the time of the drinking episode (n = 336). Results: Among drinkers, 46% had consumed Four Loko. The vast majority (93%) drank the product before age 21. During their first Four Loko drinking episode, 57% consumed at least one can and 10% drank two or more cans. Among underage drinkers, being male (AOR = 6.8), paying for the Four Loko (AOR = 3.1), and earlier age of alcohol initiation (AOR = 0.8) were associated with greater odds of drinking at least one can. Among underage drinkers who finished at least one can, 36% blacked out and 21% vomited. The odds of blacking out and vomiting were greater if the participant drank at least one can (AOR = 6.0, AOR = 4.0). Students in states that sold Four Loko with higher alcohol-by-volume were more likely to blackout (AOR = 2.0) and vomit (AOR = 2.5). Conclusions: Delaying the age of first alcohol use may have protective effects on supersized alcopop consumption. Increased enforcement of existing laws is needed to prevent underage access to Four Loko. Further, laws that reduce the alcohol content of Four Loko may reduce negative consequences associated with its consumption.
KW - Supersized alcopops
KW - alcohol sources
KW - alcohol-related consequences
KW - college students
KW - drinking locations
KW - flavored alcoholic beverages
KW - ready-to-drink
KW - underage drinking
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85070963537&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/00952990.2019.1653316
DO - 10.1080/00952990.2019.1653316
M3 - Article
C2 - 31442085
AN - SCOPUS:85070963537
SN - 0095-2990
VL - 46
SP - 421
EP - 429
JO - American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
JF - American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
IS - 4
ER -