Socio-cultural context of transition society intensifies overall risks of use and misuse of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs.

To determine the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents and young adults in Serbia.

The study included 3180 participants aged between 16 and 35 years from different, both urban and rural, parts of Serbia. Collection of data was conducted in May 2003. Participants completed self-administered anonymous questionnaires (modified YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOUR SURVEY) that consisted of sociodemographic characteristics and experiences related to alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use.

Majority of participants (64%) reported experience with smoking cigarettes at least once, while 51% smoke regularly. Prevalence of smoking was by 10% higher among males. Overall, 75% of the participants reported lifetime alcohol use, and 19% reported drinking alcohol at the age of fifteen or younger. Of the total number 36% experienced alcohol-induced blackouts at least once a month. Males were prone to blackouts significantly more often then females (3:1). The overall prevalence of marijuana use among participants was 32%. During one month before survey 10% of participants had smoked marijuana. Our study showed that the risk of marijuana use in regular cigarette smokers is two-fold higher then in non-smokers. Alcoholism of both parents and family dysfunctionality were related to significantly higher risk of marijuana use.

Early tobacco use, history of family disorganization and parental alcoholism were identified as factors related to increased risk of alcohol and marijuana abuse among adolescents and young adults in Serbia.