Elsevier

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Volume 47, Issue 2, 25 August 1997, Pages 145-153
Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Patterns of alcohol consumption, smoking and illicit drug use in British university students: interfaculty comparisons

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-8716(97)00083-5Get rights and content

Abstract

The use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs was investigated by questionnaire in 3699 second year students in ten UK universities. Patterns of use varied considerably between different faculty groups. Tobacco use was most prevalent in arts, social science and biological science students, among whom 36–39% of men and nearly one third of women were regular smokers, and least in female veterinary students (5%). Alcohol consumption was greatest in biological science students: 23% of those who drank exceeded `hazardous' levels compared with 10–16% in all other faculties. Prevalence of cannabis use was highest in arts and social science students of whom 27% reported regular weekly use compared with 9–22% in other faculties. Experience with other illicit drugs was greatest among arts, social science and physical science students, of whom 64–71% reported experience at least once or twice, and least among veterinary students (42%). Identification of different lifestyles may help to direct appropriate health information to particular student groups.

Introduction

The use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs by university students is a matter of concern to all involved in student welfare. Alcohol consumption in the UK peaks between the ages of 18 and 20 years and there is evidence that many are drinking in ways potentially harmful to health (May, 1992, Webb et al., 1996). Cigarette smoking is increasing in young people, especially girls (Miller and Plant, 1996). Illicit drug use is also increasing in young people including university students (Balding, 1994, Wright and Pearl, 1995; Ashton and Kamali, 1995) and appears to be undergoing a process of `normalisation' which needs to be taken into account in formulating health education programmes (Parker and Measham, 1994).

Anecdotal evidence suggests that patterns of alcohol and drug consumption differ between university students in different faculties, but there has been little systematic investigation of this issue. In order to promote effective health strategies, it would be helpful to identify and target groups of students who might be at particular risk. For this purpose an inter-faculty comparison of alcohol consumption, smoking and illicit drug use among undergraduates was undertaken, as part of a nationwide survey of student lifestyles in UK universities.

Section snippets

Methods

In England and Scotland 14 universities were originally approached for this survey. Ten of those, in which a number of faculties were willing to participate, took part. Where required, the approval of local ethical committees was obtained. The universities taking part were guaranteed anonymity. A total of 3699 undergraduate students completed a specially designed lifestyle questionnaire; the numbers in each of the nine faculty/subject areas and the sex and ethnic distribution of students in

Smoking

As shown in Table 2, the prevalence of smoking was greatest in arts, social science and biological science students of which 36–39% of the men and nearly a third of the women were regular smokers. Regular smoking was lowest in female veterinary students (5%) and relatively low (16–17%) in students of medicine, dentistry and allied disciplines. Overall prevalence of regular smoking was lower in non-white students (15%) than in white students (26%).

Alcohol

The proportion of non-drinkers in each faculty

Discussion

The results of this survey indicate that there are considerable differences in lifestyles between students in different university faculties. Alcohol consumption was greatest in biological science students, while smoking and illicit drug use was most prevalent in arts and social science students. Lowest levels of smoking, drinking and illicit drug use were found in engineering students, students of medicine and allied subjects and veterinary students.

As with all questionnaire studies, it is

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the Northern Regional Health Authority (grant No. 94060007) and by the William Leech Foundation.

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Present address: Centre for Health and Medical Research, University of Teesside, UK.

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