Alcohol and tobacco use are widespread because of its legal status in the society.
They are legal due to the fact that they are considered “soft drugs” which do not largely affect the users. However, the fact that alcohol and tobacco contains drug substances that could lead to addiction is already proof enough that they influence the impulsive actions and decisions of their users once addicted.According to a UK poll report, alcohol and tobacco have more damaging effects to their users than illegal drugs. 78% of the respondents believes that alcohol are more damaging than illegal drugs while 60% believes that tobacco also damages more (Wells).Furthermore, The Guardian even released a research article that states that alcohol and tobacco are more dangerous than ecstasy, cannabis and LSD (Randerson).
One of the factors is that alcohol and tobacco are legal. They can be bought easily in a store and are less expensive than illegal drugs.Moreover, Trevor Sather argues that “alcohol and tobacco have more seriously damaging effects. Tobacco-related diseases kill millions each year, and alcohol is responsible for deaths on the road, civil disorder and domestic violence on a huge scale” (219).Clearly, the effects of alcohol and tobacco to the health and behavior of their users do not differ much from the effects of other drugs such as cannabis and speed. Aside from the users, the effects are extended to the environment and people close to the lives of the users.
They are most likely to become the object of violence as these users yield in to addiction.Clearly, the government must take a more serious and practical look upon these issues as the phenomenon of drugs have always been a threat to the community. As alcohol and tobacco become more widespread, more people are likely to become addicted due to its legality in the government.Works CitedRanderson, James.
“Alcohol worse than ecstasy on shock new drug list.” 23 March 2007. The Guardian. 21 March 2009.
