The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report saying that the alcohol industry has failed to live up to promises not to advertise to youth, the Associated Press reported Aug. 31.

The alcohol industry ran about half of its radio ads during youth-oriented programs in 2004, the report said, violating a 2003 vow not to run ads on shows with an audiences comprised of 30 percent or more of underage listeners.

OF 67,404 alcohol ads aired in 104 markets -- touting the 25 alcohol brands that spent the most money on ads -- 32,800 (49 percent) aired on youth-oriented radio programs.

"Kids in the United States are exposed to a heck of a lot of alcohol advertising, and it impacts what they drink and how much they drink,'' said lead researcher Tim Naimi, a CDC epidemiologist.

Alcohol-industry officials said that the study data, gathered in the summer of 2004, reflected ad trends from a period when ad commitments made before the pledge had not yet expired.

The study found that the highest percentage of alcohol ads on youth programs were aired in Washington, Detroit, Seattle, and Dallas. Colt 45 Malt Liquor ads were the most likely to air on youth programs -- 87 percent -- while Bud Light ads aired on youth programs most frequently during the study period -- 2,415 times.