The primary tobacco laws in South Carolina regulate youth access to tobacco products and establish taxes and wholesale vending licenses. Although there is currently no law that prohibits minors from purchasing or possessing tobacco products, state, criminal and federal civil penalties exist for anyone who sells or otherwise provides tobacco products to a person under the age of 18 in South Carolina. Any person who sells or supplies cigarettes or other tobacco products to a minor is guilty of a misdemeanor, with fines beginning at $25 for a first offense. Retailers who sell to minors risk federal civil penalties ranging from fines of $250 to up to $10,000 or more.

In South Carolina, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or possess alcohol. Like tobacco, penalties exist for anyone who sells or otherwise provides alcohol to a person under 21. It is also illegal in South Carolina to drive a car or boat under the influence of alcohol. For both driving under the influence (DUI) and boating while under the influence (BUI), a person is considered to be under the influence if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .10 percent or greater. Both DUI and BUI can result in arrest, fines and loss of a license, as well as cause injury, property damage and death.

The possession of illicit drugs is also illegal, regardless of age, for anyone in South Carolina. Specifically, it is illegal to have, make or intend to distribute any controlled substance in South Carolina. Penalties vary depending on the circumstances and the particular drug, but may include a suspended driver's license for up to one year, fines and imprisonment. If someone in your home is using drugs, you will have to prove the drug is not yours to escape punishment.
 

In general, parents should build trust and establish open lines of communication with their children. Studies show that children whose parents listen, respect them, validate them and foster positive self-images are less likely to develop problems with alcohol or other drugs.

Get Involved

It is also important for parents to be actively involved in their kids' world. Family dinners afford parents the opportunity to hear what is going on at school, who their children's friends are and what activities interest them. If possible, get to know the parents of these other children. By keeping in touch with them, you can exchange ideas about parenting techniques that work and those that don't. Also, you will be able to verify that those parents will be home when your child goes to visit or attends a party there.

Just the Facts

Rather than lecturing your child about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs, look for opportunities to have brief dialogues or "learning moments." Also, provide kids with factual information about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Without using scare tactics, let your children know the consequences of using these substances. Emphasize the effects on the family, on the child and any legal consequences. Effects such as loss of privileges, bad breath and yellow teeth are more tangible to kids than overall health risks.

Seek Help

Finally, parents are encouraged to seek help if needed. Several support groups are available for family members of those who struggle with alcohol and other drug addiction. Many communities have parent education programs. Family physicians are also a valuable resource. For a listing of resources for parents in your area, contact your county alcohol and drug abuse authority .

For more information on this subject, check out The power of parents in a kid's world: A parent's guide to keeping children free from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
 

The county alcohol and drug abuse authorities and other public and private service providers offer local information and assistance as well.

Nationally, numerous other organizations provide information and assistance, many of which are included in the Online Resources section of this site.

• loss of control - attempts to control drinking fail despite promises to self and others;
• blackouts - inability to recall all or part of a drinking episode;
• increased tolerance - more alcohol is needed than before to obtain the same effects, as well as the ability to "outdrink" most people;
• continued drinking despite academic, legal, health, financial, relationship and/or other problems;
• changes in personality;
• neglect of responsibilities;
• preoccupation with drinking - frequent thoughts of drinking occur and non-drinking activities and acquaintances often are avoided;
• "pre-partying" - drinking occurs before a social event where alcohol will be served and drinks are often "gulped" to get drunk as quickly as possible;
• denial and minimizing - claims drinking is not a problem and/or tries to justify it;
• prone to suffer accidents, injuries and illness;
• drinking to feel "normal" - uses alcohol to cope, escape problems, solve problems or feel like everyone else; and
• drinking in the morning - often to control tremors or "shakes" that result from drinking the night before.

Even though the beverages differ, the alcohol's effect on the body by volume is the same.
 

Finally, the Council on Alcohol Policy of the National Association for Public Health Policy has established guidelines that identify people who are at high risk of experiencing problems related to the use of alcohol. For these individuals, there is no "safe" level of consumption. Specifically, the following individuals are considered to be at high risk and are encouraged to abstain from drinking altogether:

• anyone with a personal history of dependence on alcohol, tobacco or other drugs;
• anyone with a strong family history of depression, or alcohol or other drug dependence;
• anyone who is driving or operating machinery;
• anyone who is using other depressant drugs (including over-the-counter medications);
• anyone who is using other psychoactive drugs;
• anyone younger than the legal purchase age of 21 (except in the presence of a parent or legal guardian as provided by state law, or in religious ceremonies);
• anyone who is pregnant, considering pregnancy or breast-feeding a baby;
• anyone who is under stress; or
• anyone with other physical or psychological conditions that make alcohol consumption unhealthy.

Nicotine is the pharmacologically active agent in tobacco that acts on the brain primarily as a stimulant, but which also has sedative effects. Nicotine is largely concentrated at the base of the tobacco leaf stem. In this form, it is a deadly poison that has been used for centuries as a lethal pesticide.

The nicotine "kick" that most smokers get causes a rush of adrenaline that stimulates increased blood pressure, respiration and heart rate. It directly causes a release of brain chemical called dopamine in the region of the brain that controls pleasure and motivation. Nicotine's effect on the brain's "pleasure center" is what creates a craving and reaction similar to that seen with other drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and heroin.

Tar is the gummy substance that is left behind when tobacco is smoked or chewed. It is the primary carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agent in tobacco. Over time, tar builds up inside the cells of the lungs and causes severe damage.

Carbon monoxide, a deadly, poisonous gas, is readily released with each puff of smoke. The most toxic agent found in tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide lowers or displaces the level of oxygen in the bloodstream, thereby increasing heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.

While nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide are clearly the three most dangerous byproducts of tobacco, approximately 4,000 other known chemicals are released as byproducts of both cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco. Forty-three of these chemicals increase the risk of cancer, while hundreds more are toxic and lethal. Some of the more common chemicals found in tobacco smoke include: acetone (solvent thinner); ammonia (household cleaner); formaldehyde (embalming fluid and preservative); hydrogen cyanide (poison); methane (flammable gas and fuel); naphthalene (dry-cleaning fluid); nickel and cadmium (metals); and vinyl chloride (plastic). The average pack-a-day smoker inhales about 150,000 doses of these chemicals in one year, with up to 90 percent remaining trapped in the lungs.
 

Almost 70 percent of smokers say they want to quit, but they don't want to face the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that occur, such as headaches, dizziness, anxiety, irritability, coughing, dry throat and hunger. Unfortunately, the addicted body craves nicotine and it needs a "fix" for the withdrawal symptoms to go away. The good news is these symptoms are not life threatening and they will go away.

The American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that immediately upon quitting smoking, the body begins a series of changes and improvements that continue for years. All benefits are lost, however, by smoking just one cigarette per day. After smoking that last cigarette, health benefits are gained within:

• 20 minutes - Blood pressure and heart rate drop to normal. Temperature in hands and feet return to normal.
• Two days - The risk of heart attack decreases. The ability to taste and smell improves.
• Three to nine months - Lung function improves by up to 30 percent. Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.
• One year - The risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker.
• Five years - The death rate from lung cancer is cut in half.

Long-term medical problems associated with frequent inhalant use include pallor; weight loss; sores on the nose and mouth; bone marrow damage; impaired liver function including cirrhosis; impaired kidney function; decreased motor coordination; fatigue; decreased sense of smell; lung damage; hearing loss; and impaired immune function.

Medical problems associated with heavy marijuana use include cancer, respiratory disorders, reproductive problems and immune-system deficiencies.

Regardless of whether the test is positive or negative, it is important to engage in safe sexual practices and abstain from drug use to avoid future infection and to protect others from infection. In South Carolina, it is a crime for an individual who knows he is HIV positive to engage in sex or share needles with another person without first informing that person of his HIV status.

For more information, call DHEC's HIV/AIDS hotline at 1-800-322-AIDS.