Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in a representative sample of English school pupils: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking, in a representative sample of English pupils.MethodData from 13,635 school pupils in the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE) on usage of cigarettes from 2004 (typical age 14) to 2006 (age 16) and alcohol from 2004 to 2007 (age 17), analyzed with latent growth curve models.ResultsThe weighted percentage of pupils drinking alcohol increased from 26% at age 14 to 71% by age 17, smoking from 12% to 27% by age 16. Pupils with lower socio-economic status were more likely to smoke but less likely to drink alcohol regularly. Both behaviors were positively correlated at age 14, adjusted for several confounding factors. The rate of increase over time was also positively correlated.ConclusionCigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are already correlated by age 14, are socio-economically patterned, and 'move together' during adolescence. Future studies and interventions should be targeted at a younger age range, to identify early smoking and potentially hazardous alcohol drinking patterns.

► We examined smoking and alcohol drinking from age 13/14 in English school pupils ► Some pupils as young as 13 use alcohol or cigarettes regularly ► Both behaviors are correlated and increase together over time ► Low socio-economic status was linked to smoking regularly, but drinking less often