As we discuss the stigma of smoking and drinking here in the US, it’s also important to think about the rest of the world.  How do other countries view these issues?  How are peoples’ attitudes different or similar to the ones we have here in the US and Minnesota?  To answer these questions, I interviewed several international exchange students about their opinions on smoking and drinking in their culture and their thoughts on our values. In many European nations, the legal drinking age is less than 21, commonly 18.  In Germany, the legal drinking age is 16, though the students said most drink at younger ages.  Despite the fact that more teenagers drink in Germany, the students also described that they aren’t “drinking to get drunk,” a trend thought to be more common in the U.S.  It is more of a social activity– something to do while watching a soccer match with friends.  Another factor is the dangerous combination of drinking and driving, one that has been drilled into Minnetonka students from Driver’s Ed. Yet again, the German students noted how “there’s not a big problem with driving because we mostly don’t have cars, but [instead] take the tube or train or other transportation.”

Smoking cigarettes is more common and acceptable for German teenagers.  However, they observed that many “try it because it’s cool.” Still, one student said “some never try it, and we are lucky because we haven’t.  It’s stupid because we know it’s unhealthy, also it’s very expensive.”

Across the globe in South Africa, the age limit laws are different.  Though adolescents can legally drink at 18, one student said “people start smoking and drinking at young ages here, obviously in private.  They do it at clubs but most [underaged] people can get in.”  In terms of smoking, she said that “they aren’t that strict with the selling of cigarettes, no ID or anything is required if you look old enough.”

In China, very few students drink or use alcohol, though the drinking age is the same as in South Africa.  One student credited that to their school rules: “Our students are never allowed to drink or smoke before 18.  And our school is really strict on that.”

All in all, customs and social norms are very different around the world, but that shouldn’t stop us from being curious, and learning from lessons of other cultures.

Germany

• What is drinking culture like in Germany?

• “People drink a lot [in Germany], socially, and age generally doesn’t matter.”
• “I don’t like losing control when I’m not at home.”

How is it different from the United States?

• “Here [in America] you’re an outsider if you drink, but in Germany you’re an outsider if you don’t.”
• “There’s not a big problem with driving because we mostly don’t have cars, but take the tube or train or other transportation.”
• “[In America] Kids drink because it’s forbidden, to get drunk, in secret.”

Do you think it’s better in the US or Germany?

• “It’s better here, because it’s better for your health.  
• It’s more dangerous in Germany.”

What about smoking?

• “Many people do it to be cool, they try it because it’s ‘cool’.”
• “Some never try it, and we are lucky because we haven’t.  It’s stupid because we know it’s unhealthy, also it’s very expensive.”

South Africa

• “People start smoking and drinking at young ages here, obviously in private.  They do it at clubs, which is over 18, but most people [underage] can get in.”
• “They aren’t that strict with the selling of cigarettes, no ID or anything is required if you look old enough.”

China

• “Our students are never allowed to drink or smoke before 18.  And our school is really strict on that.  None of the students is allowed to drink or smoke in school.  The government also has politics for those two things, like everyone who is not 18 cannot buy cigarettes or alcohol in stores, and people also need their identity card to buy these two things.  In my view, not many students think smoking is a good thing for them to do in my school, mostly because of health problems.  Also, many adults are trying to give up smoking now.”