Attitudes of primary school children towards tobacco, alcohol and other substances

Abstract

This brief study focused on the attitudes of grade 5 primary school children, towards tobacco, alcohol and other substances. Attempts were made to give a clear picture of the situation, in the Maltese context. The overall analysis are suggestive of the wide accepted usage of alcohol in the Maltese Culture. In fact alcohol, appears to be much more acceptable among Maltese young children's values especially beer and wine. Further subdividing the results into 4 sections - academic achievement, gender, parents' use of substances and peers' use of substances - peers' use, seems to uphold the overall general results i.e. alcohol. Results would seem to suggest that what is needed at this stage is an alcohol awareness campaign for young children.