StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Social problems - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Since the use of alcohol and tobacco are encouraged through various forms of media advertising, it leads to an increase in the demand for the products. Furthermore, since both alcohol and tobacco are easily…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.5% of users find it useful
Social problems
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Social problems"

Social Problems Social Problems Does public tolerance of alcohol and tobacco lead to increased use of these drugs?Why do many people view the use of alcohol and tobacco differently from the use of illicit drugs? Yes, public tolerance of alcohol and tobacco leads to increased use. Since the use of alcohol and tobacco are encouraged through various forms of media advertising, it leads to an increase in the demand for the products. Furthermore, since both alcohol and tobacco are easily available in various sales outlets anytime of the day, it is so convenient for users of these drugs to get hold of it.

There is no regulation banning the sale of these drugs. In fact, aside from the warning placed on the packaging of tobaccos and cigarettes, the government does not exert any form of regulation on its use. Unlike tobaccos and cigarettes, there are no warnings placed on advertisements and containers of alcohol beverages. The reason behind this tolerance and encouragement of the government is that they earn huge revenues from taxes from the sale of these products. The government for one does not encourage the use of illicit drugs because they do not earn anything from the sale of these drugs unlike with the sale of alcohol and tobacco.

In April 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that almost six million people die from tobacco use and 2.5 million from harmful use of alcohol each year worldwide (Join Together Staff, 2011). The report goes on further to state that tobacco is predicted to be the cause of death of 7.5 million people worldwide by 2020, accounting for 10 percent of all deaths, while alcohol-related deaths accounts for 3.8 percent of all deaths worldwide. These figures show that alcohol and tobacco use is as dangerous as using illicit drugs.

However, this is not the belief of a lot of people. One reason why many people view the use of tobacco and alcohol differently from the use of illicit drugs is that they believe that if done in moderation, the use of alcohol or to some extent tobacco cannot be harmful to one’s health. Unlike with the use of illicit drugs, there is the perception that even if consumed in moderation, it still adversely affects one’s health. For some people they believe that there is no such thing as a “moderate use” of an illicit drug.

There are some parents who tolerate their teen children’s consumption of alcohol especially during special occasions or family celebrations. This gives the idea to these youths that drinking is acceptable; thus, when they are out with their friends, drinking becomes part of their lives. Parents then give the notion that alcohol is good while illicit drugs are not. The difference in the views of people about the use of alcohol and tobacco as opposed to illicit drugs also stem from the government’s policies on these substances.

In Britain, drugs are classified through a system which classifies drugs according to its harmfulness, with Class A being the most harmful and Class C the least harmful (Layton, 2011). Alcohol is ranked number five in harmfulness yet it is legal. On the other hand, ecstasy is ranked number 13 in harmfulness yet it is illegal. These classifications somehow cloud the perceptions of users as to the harmfulness of a drug. People then ask, “If alcohol is very harmful to one’s health, why then is it legal to sell it?

” or “If ecstasy is less harmful than alcohol, why is it considered illegal?” These confusing classifications of government have a bearing on why people view the use of alcohol and tobacco differently from the use of illicit drugs. The legal status of alcohol and tobacco makes it seem a better option than illegal drugs like ecstasy. Works CitedJoin Together Staff. (2011, April 27). WHO report: Smoking and drinking cause millions of deaths worldwide. Retrieved September 21, 2011, from The Partnership at Drugfree Website: http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/alcohol/who-report-smoking-and- drinking-cause-millions-of-deaths-worldwideLayton, J. (2011). Is alcohol more dangerous than ecstasy?

Retrieved September 21, 2011, from Discovery Communications, LLC Web site: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/drug-ranking.htm

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Social problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3”, n.d.)
Social problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1580141-social-problems
(Social Problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 3)
Social Problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 3. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1580141-social-problems.
“Social Problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 3”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1580141-social-problems.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Social problems

Attitudes Change Social Problems

ATTITUDES CHANGE social problems Name of Student (author) Student ID Number: Name of Course: Professor' Name: Name of School (University) Word Count: 1,064 September 20, 2011 ATTITUDES CHANGE social problems Introduction Any society has a multitude of problems and challenges to be faced and solved but it is a unique situation in America where racial discrimination is still quite prevalent.... This a bit of insight has significant implications when it comes to social problems like discrimination....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Political and Social Problems

Running Head: POLITICAL AND social problems Name of student: School: Course: Topic: Lecturer: Date presented: Introduction Political and social problems are part and parcel of the society owing to the nature of human beings and the social structures in society.... hellip; One of the most common problems in any society is the prevalence of crime, both violent assaults and property crimes.... According to these reports it is apparent that crime is a social as well as a political problem which needs attention for the sake of protection of citizens and an orderly society....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Contemporary Social Problems

The author of the essay explores how do different values, beliefs, and norms affect the definition of social problems.... hellip; There are objective social realities like poverty, racism, sexism etc that cause social problems of material or psychological anguish to the people and they form part of such a definition.... However, subjective factors always occupy a position in the definition of social problems.... Contemporary social problems Q....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Social Problems Essay

This article "social problems Essay" analyzes that the social problems today are tremendous and we most often fail to recognize significant issues.... social problems EssayWe all agree with the view that the study of social problems is pertinent and it requires greater attention than the previous times.... The social problems today are tremendous and we most often fail to recognize significant issues.... Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the discussions on social problems related to terrorism have been a prime focus for all countries....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Contemporatry social problems

It is a present waiting to be opened, wrapped with a thick cover of racial discrimination and prejudice, Analyzing Contemporary social problems in the Movie “Crash” The movie Crash is a brutally honest film that depicts the harsh realities in today's society.... It tells of a convoluted story that shows how intertwined the lives are of people from all walks of life, from all kinds of races and cultures and value systems....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Understanding Social Problems

The following paper entitled 'Understanding social problems' focuses on the challenges of factoring economic inequality into work-family programs/policies and the implications of excluding lower-income workers and families from these programs and policies.... hellip; About 14.... percent of all the workers in the U....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Modern Social Problems

The following essay entitled "Modern social problems" dwells on the idea of a social problem that is an issue that a large section of or a whole community perceives it as undesirable.... Reportedly, the notable social problems include prostitution, smoking, drug abuse and trafficking, poverty, etc.... hellip; Typically, social problems affect and disrupt society.... The effects of the social problems can be detrimental with far-reaching implications that damage the community....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Social Problems: illegal immigrants

The 12 million unlawful immigrants in the country and millions of others who want to come here present social problems (Roberts, Alden & Whitley, 2013).... Social Problem: Illegal Immigrants Dealing With Illegal Immigration in Our Country The 12 million unlawful immigrants in the country and millions of others who want to come here present social problems (Roberts, Alden & Whitley, 2013)....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us