News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: Wire: Drinking And Smoking Views Under Fire |
| Title: | Australia: Wire: Drinking And Smoking Views Under Fire |
| Published On: | 2000-12-20 |
| Source: | Australian Associated Press (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-02 08:32:48 |
DRINKING AND SMOKING VIEWS UNDER FIRE
Most Australians believe regular consumption of alcohol and tobacco smoking
is okay, while few approve of regular illicit drug taking, a new study has
found.
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report says 60 per cent of
adults approve of regular drinking of alcohol, and about 40 per cent
approve of regular tobacco smoking.
However the study found less than five per cent approved of the regular use
of illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy and amphetamines.
Twenty-six per cent thought regular marijuana use by adults was acceptable.
Professor Ian Webster, of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council, was
disappointed by the findings.
"I think it is concerning that despite our campaigns people still find the
use of alcohol and tobacco acceptable, and discount the risks associated
with that," he said.
The study found about 24 per cent of Australians drank alcohol either daily
or on most days of the week while 22 per cent smoked every day or on most days.
Tobacco is the greatest cause of drug-related deaths in Australia and
alcohol is the second major cause.
However, fewer than one in 20 Australians associated tobacco with a drug
problem and only one in seven associated alcohol with it.
Two-thirds of people had tried tobacco at some time in their lives, and
more than one in four were recent smokers.
Nine in 10 Australians had tried alcohol at some time in their lives, and
three quarters had recently consumed it.
Of the teenage smokers surveyed, nearly 96 per cent also reported using
alcohol recently and 76 per cent had used marijuana recently.
On the issue of illicit drugs, more than three in every four Australians
associated them with a drug problem.
Almost one in every two people had used an illicit drug at some time in
their lives and more than one in five in the previous 12 months.
The survey found there was support for tougher penalties against drunk
drivers, supplying cigarettes to people under age, and for the sale and
supply of drugs such as heroin, amphetamines and cocaine across the country.
Most Australians believe regular consumption of alcohol and tobacco smoking
is okay, while few approve of regular illicit drug taking, a new study has
found.
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report says 60 per cent of
adults approve of regular drinking of alcohol, and about 40 per cent
approve of regular tobacco smoking.
However the study found less than five per cent approved of the regular use
of illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy and amphetamines.
Twenty-six per cent thought regular marijuana use by adults was acceptable.
Professor Ian Webster, of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council, was
disappointed by the findings.
"I think it is concerning that despite our campaigns people still find the
use of alcohol and tobacco acceptable, and discount the risks associated
with that," he said.
The study found about 24 per cent of Australians drank alcohol either daily
or on most days of the week while 22 per cent smoked every day or on most days.
Tobacco is the greatest cause of drug-related deaths in Australia and
alcohol is the second major cause.
However, fewer than one in 20 Australians associated tobacco with a drug
problem and only one in seven associated alcohol with it.
Two-thirds of people had tried tobacco at some time in their lives, and
more than one in four were recent smokers.
Nine in 10 Australians had tried alcohol at some time in their lives, and
three quarters had recently consumed it.
Of the teenage smokers surveyed, nearly 96 per cent also reported using
alcohol recently and 76 per cent had used marijuana recently.
On the issue of illicit drugs, more than three in every four Australians
associated them with a drug problem.
Almost one in every two people had used an illicit drug at some time in
their lives and more than one in five in the previous 12 months.
The survey found there was support for tougher penalties against drunk
drivers, supplying cigarettes to people under age, and for the sale and
supply of drugs such as heroin, amphetamines and cocaine across the country.
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