Tobacco use is tightly correlated with alcohol use. There is a strong correlation between the age of first use of tobacco and the age of first use of alcohol and marijuana. There is a positive correlation between tobacco use and alcohol use. The more frequent smokers drink more alcohol. Most binge drinkers are frequent smokers.
College students know about the risks of tobacco use.
Peer influences, stress, and tobacco company marketing are major reasons why college students begin or continue to use tobacco. There is disagreement about the efficacy of a social norms approach in reducing tobacco use among college students. Students claim that peer pressure and stress are the main reasons they initiate tobacco use in college. Policy and environmental strategies increase price, restrict access to tobacco, increase smoke free areas, limit advertising, etc. are most likely the best prevention initiatives. Prevention efforts usually increase demand for cessation programs so prevention and cessation programs need to be coordinated.