Alcohol, Tobacco, & Drugs

Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) contribute to:

  • Chronic disease
  • Decreased productivity
  • Intentional and unintentional injuries
  • Lack of educational attainment
  • Social and family disruption

Alcohol use increases:

  • Adolescent health
  • Childhood development
  • Chronic disease
  • Infectious diseases
  • Intended and unintended injury
  • Mental health
  • Mortality and morbidity
  • Poor birth outcomes
  • Unplanned pregnancy
  • Violence

Alcohol causes more deaths and illnesses than other drugs because of its properties and also because it is used by far more people than other drugs.

Beyond physical, mental, and emotional well-being, there are economic and legal costs to ATOD.

Additional Information

More information on the problem that alcohol, specifically, poses to the community.

Strategies for Public Health: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs