Digital Alcohol and Cannabis Ads, Consumption Frequency, and Driving Under the Influence
Research article
Abstract
Objective
Little is known about the consequences of substance-related advertising on driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) or driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). This study seeks to estimate links between substance-related digital advertising exposures and DUIA and DUIC in a sample of young adults.
Method
The Rhode Island Young Adult Survey 2022 was a cross-sectional web-based survey of 1,022 adults ages 18–25 years.
The researchers conducted analysis among lifetime alcohol users (n = 824) and lifetime cannabis users (n = 471). They assessed prevalence of past-30-day digital ad exposure to alcohol and cannabis, as well as the prevalence of past-month DUIA and DUIC. Multivariable logistic regressions examined the link between digital ad exposure and substance use among lifetime users, and ad exposure and DUI among current users.
Results
In all, 54.4% of participants reported past-30-day exposure to digital alcohol advertising, and 33.5% reported exposure to digital cannabis advertising.
Exposure to social media alcohol advertising was linked with higher odds of DUIA after adjustment for sociodemographic variables (odds ratio = 2.14) but not after accounting for frequency of use.
Odds of DUIC remained significantly higher for those exposed to app-based cannabis advertising after adjusting for sociodemographic variables (odds ratio = 4.36) and frequency of use (odds ratio = 3.96).
Conclusions
Since social media alcohol ad exposure may be indirectly linked with DUIA, and app-based cannabis ad exposure may be directly linked to frequency of use and DUIC, legislators should consider comprehensive substance-related ad regulations and bans.