Alcohol Advertisements Companies Tobacco Sponsorship Drinking Corporate Young

Many U.S. laws limit the amount and type of sponsorship and advertising that alcohol and "tobacco" (an ingredient in cigarettes) companies can "engage" (be involved) in. This is because studies have shown that many people are influenced by advertisements and may begin using alcohol or tobacco when they see such advertisements, especially young people.

Advertisements for alcohol can be in the "media" (magazines, newspapers, television, radio, etc.) only if at least 70% of the audience is older than the "official drinking age" (the age at which Americans may legally drink alcohol, 21 years old). Some media companies refuse to accept advertisements for alcohol, even though more than 70% of their readers are older than the drinking age.

Alcohol companies are not supposed to make advertisements that will "appeal to" (attract, or be pleasant to) young people. For example, alcohol companies should not use cartoon characters in their advertisements. Also, the advertisements have to have a statement saying that alcohol should be "consumed in moderation" (drunk a little bit at a time, not too much or too often).

Alcohol may be advertised on television if most of the viewers are above the drinking age, but tobacco can never be advertised on television. Today, tobacco companies can advertise only in "print media" (magazines and newspapers), and the advertisements must have a statement about the negative health effects of smoking.

Alcohol and tobacco companies often sponsor sporting events, placing their advertisements on "billboards" (large signs) or "fences" (walls around an area). But they can sponsor events only if they are for adults. Events for children cannot be sponsored by alcohol and tobacco companies.