Abstract
Adolescence is a period in the life of an individual from 10 years to 19 years
of age. This stage is marked by rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth in
an individual and is a very crucial stage for their development. This is the time when
the foundations of a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle are laid, and these habits may
continue for a lifetime. Current research studies show high growth in the number of
adolescents involved in risky behaviors, and this has become a matter of concern. The
prevalence of risks in alcohol and tobacco consumption has increased tremendously.
Tobacco and alcohol are known to be ‘gateway drugs’ as they are the first to be
consumed when an individual starts such practices; the reasons are their easy
availability, peer influences, acculturation, or even family history of substance use
disorder. To decrease this and establish a healthy lifestyle, teenagers need proper
information and guidance, including opportunities that may lead them to actively
participate in interventions that are aimed to improve their physical and mental health.
Mostly, alcohol and tobacco are seen to be prevalent together. Adolescents who show
consistent drinking and tobacco smoking habits are more likely to show irritant, violent
behaviors. Also, they are at higher risk of developing drug habits like marijuana abuse
in their later stages of life.
This chapter basically examines the generality of tobacco and alcohol consumption,
especially among adolescents, and the ways in which it causes harm to adolescents and
its side effects. It gives an overview of the social, physical, and psychological effects it
has on adolescents’ lifestyles. It also covers risk factors and smoking and alcohol
cessation efforts in the population. It gives special consideration to smoking cessation
treatment, which includes peer influences, motivation, and nicotine dependence.