OXFORD, England, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- A large systematic review of more than 13,000 people found alcohol advertising and marketing may lead to underage drinking, British researchers said.

Lesley Smith and David Foxcroft of Oxford Brookes University collated information from seven rigorously selected studies, featuring information on 13,255 participants.

The review, published in the journal BMC Public Health, examined the effects of advertising, product placement in films, games, sporting events and music videos, depictions of drinking in various media and exposure to product stands in shops.

"Our work provides strong empirical evidence to inform the policy debate on the impact of alcohol advertising on young people, and policy groups may wish to revise or strengthen their policy recommendations in the light of this stronger evidence," Smith said in a statement.

The researchers found exposure to TV alcohol advertisements was associated with an increased tendency to drink, as was exposure to magazine advertisements and concession stands at sporting events or concerts. Hours spent watching films, playing games and watching music videos also correlated with young peoples' tendency to consume alcoholic beverages, the review said.

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