We know that tobacco causes a number of health issues and can be bought legally in the UK; though it is expensive to buy it is widely available. An increasing evidence base around the harm that tobacco can cause has meant that a raft of new laws has been developed in order to encourage people to stop smoking and to discourage young people to begin smoking. This action has had an impact with the numbers of smokers continuing to decline. Smoking is very much seen as an anti-social activity by many and many current smokers accept the risks and express a wish to be able to stop their habit.

There are any number of other substances which can be abused and can cause harm to individuals and society and which are available both legally and illegally, with some being more readily available than others – Illegal drugs including cannabis (still the most common), cocaine, ecstasy, LSD as well as the former ‘legal highs’ (now psychoactive substances) such as mamba and spice all pose a number of risks but can be sought out and purchased from as little as a few pounds.

Solvents which can be bought quite legally can also be used as drugs and have a negative impact upon users; the abuse of prescription drugs is on the increase and a government review is underway into the issues raised in this respect.

Tobacco, other drugs and Young People

Adolescence is a natural time of rebellion and experimentation in a variety of areas – often drugs can be seen as ‘cool’ or exciting by young people and they will be unafraid of trying new things, often quite risky things as they seek to find their place in the world and to ‘grow up’. Often young people will be offered drugs by their peers and they are unable to resist such peer pressure leading to them making poor decisions. The consequences of their behaviour will not always be immediate or apparent to young people and this can lead to repetitive negative patterns being developed which can be difficult or in some cases impossible to change and addiction can follow.