Introduction of high-alcohol beer in Ontario: preliminary observations on its use by underage drinkers

Preliminary data are reported on the use of high-alcohol beer by underage drinkers in Ontario. Students in grades 11 and 12 with a valid driver's licence completed a questionnaire between January and May, 1994 (i.e., between three and seven months after the introduction of high-alcohol beer). About one-half of students who had drunk alcohol within the previous four weeks reported consuming high-alcohol beer within that period. In this group, males were much more likely to report high-alcohol beer consumption in the previous month. Both male and female high-alcohol beer consumers drank alcohol more frequently, got drunk more frequently, and drank five or more drinks on the same occasion more frequently than non-consumers. One reason for trying high-alcohol beer, "wanted a higher alcohol content", was endorsed by more than one-third of high-alcohol beer consumers. Our data suggest that the users of high-alcohol beer among this underage drinking sample tend to be heavier drinkers and more likely to experience alcohol-related problems.