Alcohol is deeply rooted in our cultures and habits, and in most Western countries, its significant economic weight grants it a much more favourable legal status and social perception than other drugs.
This is likely why teenagers consider it the safest drug they can take, despite the fact that it is the leading risk factor for premature death and disability in people aged 15-49, and that myths like “a glass of wine a day is good for your health” have been thoroughly debunked. This perception is only reinforced by its central role in many traditions and celebrations, which link it to social success.
