Unit 4 Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 284 Mental, Social, and Legal Consequences Tobacco products do more than affect the human body. They impact a person's mind and social relationships and can lead to legal consequences. The effects of tobacco use are long lasting and can affect your future in serious ways. Mental Consequences Most young people believe they can smoke, vape, or chew tobacco occasionally or even regularly for a few years and then easily quit. The reality, however, is most people become dependent on the nicotine. For example, young people are especially sensitive to the effects of nicotine because their brains are still developing until 25 years of age, which makes it easier to develop an addiction. A dependence on nicotine makes it very difficult to stop using tobacco products. Nicotine makes it harder to learn, concentrate, and control impulses. People who use nicotine are more likely to engage in other risky behaviors, such as sexual activity and illegal drug use. Nicotine can also make mental health conditions and mental illnesses worse if people use nicotine to relieve symptoms instead of seeking professional treatment. Social Consequences The use of tobacco can harm a person's social relationships. When people feel dependent on nicotine, getting more of that substance can seem like the only important thing to them. As a result, young people may lie to their parents, guardians, or friends about their use of tobacco products. They may steal money to buy cigarettes, vaping devices or e-liquids, or smokeless tobacco. Lying and theft can cause long-term trust issues. Because tobacco use harms people’s health, people may withdraw from someone who uses tobacco products. A person who uses tobacco products may have to leave a social situation to smoke, vape, or chew. This may cause the person to feel left out or miss special moments. Legal Consequences Young people who smoke, vape, or chew tobacco can experience serious legal consequences. In the United States, the federal government recently increased the legal age for buying tobacco products from age 18 to age 21 (Figure 9.9). Some cities, such as Beverly Hills in California, have banned the sale of tobacco products altogether. Some people under the legal age limit try to buy or ask someone else to buy tobacco products for them. If they are caught doing this, they may have to pay fines or perform community service. Many schools have policies that forbid the use of cigarettes, vaping devices, and smokeless tobacco. Students who bring these products to school or use them in the Zoart Studio/Shutterstock.com Figure 9.9 Tobacco products are illegal to purchase under 21 years of age in the United States, including online purchases.