Liquor companies are using less magazine advertising to entice the nation's youth to imbibe, according to a Johns Hopkins analysis.

But the companies are still largely advertising in publications young people are more likely than adults to read, with 78 percent of the advertising in these publications.

Overall, advertising aimed at youth declined by 48 percent between 2001 and 2008, according to the study by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Advertising exposure to adults over age 21 declined by 29 percent in the same period.

Researchers have found alcohol advertising increases the likelihood of underaged drinking, making it an important public health issue, according to the study.

Already, more young people drink alcohol then smoke cigarettes or use illegal drugs, according to the study. About 10.1 million people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported drinking in the past month in 2008. About 6.6 million young people reported binge drinking.

Alcohol companies made a pledge in 2003 to voluntarily eliminate liquor advertising in magazines with 30 percent or more youth readership - a goal the alcohol companies did meet. However, the 30 percent standard affected just 9 of the 160 magazine where alcohol companies advertised during the time period studied.

Just 16 brands made up half the alcohol advertising more likely to be read by youth. The brands included Patron Silver Tequila, Absolut Vodka, Kahlua Liqueurs, Ketel One Vodka and Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey.