Is It Gravely Wrong for Teenagers to Smoke and Drink?

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I’ve always been under the impression that this was gravely wrong. Is it and how should one deal with active Catholic teenagers who think it’s ok to drink and smoke, saying things like “It’s not drugs drugs” and “I can control it” ?
 
They are breaking civil law (illegal for under 21 to drink alcohol and under 18 to smoke). They are breaking 4th commandment (honoring parents). I seriously doubt most of the parents approve of the behavior.
 
Getting drunk is a grave sin.

Not obeying your parents, especially in serious matter like this, can be a grave sin.

Violating a just law is sinful and depending on the gravity of the offense, can be grave sin.
 
It’s gravely foolish. If your teenage friends want to act like fools, too bad for them.

Matthew
 
I’m not as sure that it is as simple as others are portraying it.

First, moderate alcohol consumption is NOT intrinsically sinful.

Then there is fourth commandment, to honor thy father and mother. Does this mean to always do what your parents want you to, as long as it is not immoral? I would argue that, for adults, it does not. Legally, in the U.S., someone is an adult when they have obtained 18 years of age. That would mean that an 18 year old could, without sinning obey an order from his/her parents. So an 18 year old drinking against his/her parents will is not necessarilly sinful.

Then, there is the legal aspect. Obviously, it is illegal in the U.S. for teenagers to consume alcohol. If something simply being illegal were enough to be mortally sinful, then trivial things like not signaling a turn on a road with no traffic would be mortally sinful also, and I think most would agree that it is not. One might then argue that it is mortally sinful to violate some laws but not others. Then how can we judge which laws are more grave to violate than others? By the size of the penalty? If that were the case, then not signalling that turn would be more grave than underage drinking in some states. (For example, in my state, underage drinking=$180 fine; unsignaled turn=~$300 fine).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sure that it wouldn’t be a mortal sin for an underage person to drink, but I think, based on the argument that I presented above that it is not. That being said, Catholics are obligated to obey all just laws, and the government has the right to control substances such as alcohol, so, at a minimum, underage drinking would be a venial sin.
 
I wonder if one could make an argument that it is gravely sinful for a human not yet done developing (typically age 22) to drink and smoke based on scientific information?

For example, findings show that the prefrontal cortex and the chemical balance of the brain is going through immense changes similar to the first 4 years of life. Consuming alcohol or inhaling nicotine could effect the brain of a not-fully-developed teenager much more than someone who is done growing.

Not to mention the findings that conclude those who drink and smoke during teen years are more likely to become addicted and to become alcoholics.
 
Neither of those actions are intrinsically evil, but both of them can be mortal sins. Underage consumption of alcohol is illegal, but not necessarily sinful even then. I think smoking is seriously foolish no matter who is doing it, though.
 
S_V7 said:
I’ve always been under the impression that this was gravely wrong. Is it and how should one deal with active Catholic teenagers who think it’s ok to drink and smoke, saying things like “It’s not drugs drugs” and “I can control it” ?
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Even for adults excessive drinking and excessive smoking are grave sins.
 
Actually its not written in the Bible that getting drunk is a sin. In fact its clear many times in the OT that people drank quite alot at parties
But its clearly stated that drunkenness often leads to all kinds of promiscuity. That means, its likely to be a near occasion of sin… most young people mix alchohol consumption with the desire to loose control and get sex… excuse me for being blunt but there has been a survey in my own country that stated that 80-90 percent of teenagers get drunk because they hope that will increase their chances of getting sex… (that leads to sex without -or poorly treated contraception but thats another issue) …

So too if a man and woman are having a date and they are alone drinking … then drinking alcohol can, for many people, be a near occasion of sin leading to poor value judgement etc.
Different people have different limits. as for me I am weak so I never touch any alcholic substance… Last time I did it was at a fine dinner with a friend who offered me just one glass of wine… that got me giggling the rest of the evening.

In case of two strong individuals who are married and having a cosy night at home without the kids there… if they choose to get a bit intoxicated on a rare occasion then I cant see the big sin in that.

Alcohol has to be dealt with great care… a person who is 16 and wants to show off in front of his buddies… is not a person who should be given such freedom.
 
There will always be teenagers breaking drinking and smoking laws. That said, drinking and smoking laws are different everywhere. A 17 year old drinking alcohol in Austria is no different from a 17 year old drinking alcohol in America. The only thing that is different are the laws. Is it necessary to relatively change our morality based on civic law? I doubt it.

Some teens would argue that the only point of drinking is to get drunk. I think that is wrong for obvious reasons. Heavy smoking on the other hand is less common amongst teens. I for one enjoy smoking on occasion (very moderately) and I’m no where near 21. I am following the church law that moderation is fine. It would be hypocritical for my family to object to my actions if they smoke themselves! No violation of the fourth commandment there. Now, Marijuana is so taboo it is sickening. Smoking a bowl is less harmful to one’s health than eating a cheeseburger or drinking a couple of beers. Yet, people are going to jail for possession. Not to digress, but come on! Gravely wrong? Only if eating a cheeseburger is.
 
Gmags, marijuana smoking is gravely wrong because in doing so you are aiding the business of drug smuggling and selling and are an accomplice to the violence of those groups.
 
gmags2003 said:
There will always be teenagers breaking drinking and smoking laws. That said, drinking and smoking laws are different everywhere. A 17 year old drinking alcohol in Austria is no different from a 17 year old drinking alcohol in America. The only thing that is different are the laws. Is it necessary to relatively change our morality based on civic law? I doubt it.

Some teens would argue that the only point of drinking is to get drunk. I think that is wrong for obvious reasons. Heavy smoking on the other hand is less common amongst teens. I for one enjoy smoking on occasion (very moderately) and I’m no where near 21. I am following the church law that moderation is fine. It would be hypocritical for my family to object to my actions if they smoke themselves! No violation of the fourth commandment there. Now, Marijuana is so taboo it is sickening. Smoking a bowl is less harmful to one’s health than eating a cheeseburger or drinking a couple of beers. Yet, people are going to jail for possession. Not to digress, but come on! Gravely wrong? Only if eating a cheeseburger is.
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I thought we got some more info on marijuana…
 
Would the answer change how you behave? If so, then yes, it’s
wrong. If not, then I have no answer, since to answer this type
of person only pushes them into it more so they can prove how
“powerful” they are.
 
bobdole123 said:
Gmags, marijuana smoking is gravely wrong because in doing so you are aiding the business of drug smuggling and selling and are an accomplice to the violence of those groups.
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There really isn’t much of a marijuana drug trade considering most weed is privately grown indoors in the United States.
 
GraceDK said:
Actually its not written in the Bible that getting drunk is a sin. In fact its clear many times in the OT that people drank quite alot at parties
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Actually it is written in the Bible that getting drunk is a very grave sin.
9 Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites
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10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. I Cor. 6:9-10
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Emphasis mine.
 
No, in and of it self it lacks one element of a grave sin and that is grave matter. In one sense, it can incorporate grave matter, that being when one’s own safety or that of another is put at jeopardy.
2290**
The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess**: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.
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****If anyone thinks it is always a grave sin, is there any teaching to support that?
 
I find it facinating that everyone so neatly sidesteps the fact that it is civil law, and as Catholics, we are called to follow civil law (unless it is an unjust law).

You can argue right or wrong of the act all you want, but the civil law is written and must be obeyed.
 
vz71 said:
I find it facinating that everyone so neatly sidesteps the fact that it is civil law, and as Catholics, we are called to follow civil law (unless it is an unjust law).

You can argue right or wrong of the act all you want, but the civil law is written and must be obeyed.
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I did not sidestep it.

Please note post #3.
 
S_V7 said:
I’ve always been under the impression that this was gravely wrong. Is it and how should one deal with active Catholic teenagers who think it’s ok to drink and smoke, saying things like “It’s not drugs drugs” and “I can control it” ?
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Yes, both are gravely wrong.

Teenage drinking so often is accompanied by teenage drunk driving. teenagers are the worst group for accidents, because they think they know everything, to begin with, and especially when they’ve had something to drink. They are likely to have less appreciation for the cost of a car and driving, and the risks they pose to others by driving under the influence.

In my town, I think there really is less traffic because of the gas prices. There’s not as much cruising around as before.

There’s nothing healthy or mature about smoking. It causes addiction, and bad breath, if anybody noticed. If you know someone who lives with a smoker, you may notice that their clothes carry the odor of the smoke. I know a relative brings a baby over which smells of smoke.

My aunt and uncle both smoked heavily, and they were treating their tiny dog for a persistent cough. I made the politically incorrect observation about their smoking, when I paid them one of my infrequent visits. After I blurted out my observation, I decided to make a quick exit. It seemed wise at the time to point out the possible environmental cause of the dog’s untreatable breathing problem.

There’s just no good reason for teen smoking or drinking, except their pent-up desire to grow up. Well, THAT they should do, and it doesn’t require alcohol or tobacco.
 
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