Enumerate the possible reasons why teenagers engage in smoking and drinking alcohol?

They are looking for an altered state of consciousness--ie an escape from the pain and boredom of life--the same as the rest of us.Enumerate the possible reasons why teenagers engage in smoking and drinking alcohol?
t0o beat up stress and family presures, specially to overcome their failures in obtaining the desired goalEnumerate the possible reasons why teenagers engage in smoking and drinking alcohol?
Largely, the #1 reason is ';PEER PRESSURE'; !!





Times may have changed, clothes and hairstyles change, but PEER PRESSURE DOES NOT CHANGE !!





Some kids INDULGE in these activities, and MANY DO NOT !





It was this way (perhaps less so, at least in my high school) back in the 70's (I graduated from High School in 1977 -- EONS AGO !).





I didn't smoke or drink, or even smoke POT, which was a BIG DEAL BACK THEN ! Not until I went to college (tried pot, and DID NOT LIKE IT ! Never did it again !)





Be yourself ! That's hard to do in school, but just hang with the SMARTER PEOPLE WHO DON'T USE DRUGS OR ALCOHOL OR EVEN SMOKE DEADLY CIGARETTES !





It's KEWL !!!!!!!!!
*Boredom


*To look cool


*To fit in with their peers


*To alleviate the stress of being a teenager
I feel it is because smoking and drinking are forbiden in America for teenagers. Smoking, I understand completely but I feel that drinking in moderation does not hurt teenagers or even younger children. By moderation, I mean a glass of wine at most and only for special events. In the country we make such a big deal about preventing underage smoking and drinking that it only makes this forbiden fruit that much more tempting. Congradulations on a good question!
Because those are things only adults are allowed to do, and teenagers want to prove that they are stupid enough to be considered adult.
It offers a temporary escape from a miserable existance.
Most teenagers start smoking to fit in with their peer group and also, have the tendency to continue to lifestyle in which the grew up. If their parents smoke, there is a higher likelihhood they will too. Also, the same with drinking.
They drink to gain confidence and make themselves more attractive...to themselves.
Many people use drugs to change their consciousness because they are ';unhappy'; for want of a better term. In severe cases they will not stop without conseling and medications.