Health
AMA calls for end to NCAA alcohol ads
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 16, 2005
The AMA called on the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. to eliminate alcohol advertising at events associated with the NCAA.
"The prevalence of alcohol advertising in college sports sends a damaging message about the core values of the NCAA and higher education," said AMA President-elect J. Edward Hill, MD. "Allowing aggressive alcohol advertising during its events only encourages underage consumption of alcohol."
The AMA appeal came as NCAA Division 1 officials met in Indianapolis April 28 to review current policy allowing beer advertising during radio and television broadcasts of collegiate sporting events.
A national survey conducted by the AMA in April in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that the majority of the 2,271 adults polled agreed that the NCAA should reverse its policy and not allow beer companies to advertise during college sporting events.
"As a physician, I know all too well the dangers posed to underage youth by early alcohol use, and college campuses include many underage drinkers who are attracted by the messages in alcohol ads," Dr. Hill said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/05/16/hlbf0516.htm.
