Digital Alcohol and Cannabis Ads, Consumption Frequency, and Driving Under the Influence

This study aimed to explore how exposure to digital advertising for alcohol and cannabis might impact the likelihood of young adults driving under the influence of these substances. The researchers investigated the associations between seeing these ads online and instances of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) and cannabis (DUIC) among young adults.

Method:

• Survey Design: Data was used from the Rhode Island Young Adult Survey 2022, a web-based survey of 1,022 adults aged 18 to 25.
• Participants: Analyses focused on two groups: lifetime alcohol users (n = 824) and lifetime cannabis users (n = 471).
• Measures: Researchers assessed the prevalence of exposure to digital alcohol and cannabis ads in the past 30 days, as well as the prevalence of DUIA and DUIC in the past month. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to examine the relationship between digital ad exposure and substance use, and between ad exposure and DUI behaviors.

Results:

• Alcohol Advertising: 54.4% of participants reported seeing digital alcohol ads in the past 30 days. Exposure to alcohol ads on social media was associated with a higher likelihood of DUIA, although this association was not significant after accounting for the frequency of alcohol use.
• Cannabis Advertising: 33.5% reported exposure to digital cannabis ads. Those exposed to cannabis ads on apps had significantly higher odds of DUIC, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (odds ratio [95% CI] = 4.36 [1.76, 10.8]) and frequency of cannabis use (odds ratio [95% CI] = 3.96 [1.53, 10.2]).

Conclusions:

Exposure to alcohol ads on social media may indirectly increase the risk of DUIA, while exposure to cannabis ads on apps is directly linked to both increased frequency of cannabis use and DUIC. These findings suggest that stricter regulations or bans on digital substance-related advertising could be considered to address these issues.