Nearly $18 billion spent on underage drinking

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - A new study from Boston University and the Gillings Schools of Global Public Health shows that underage drinkers consume billions of dollars worth of alcohol.

It found that underage youth consumed $17.5 billion worth of alcohol in 2016 and that amounts to 8.6% of the alcoholic drinks sold that year.

Despite these new numbers, underage alcohol consumption has been falling in recent years. However, the school also says alcohol remains the drug of choice among people ages 12 to 20.