Would you classify smoking as substance abuse?

[Amy]

I am currently researching for my sociology essay and one of the requirements is that it cannot be about bullying, social media, and substance abuse.

Would smoking be classified as substance abuse?

Also, what other social issue should I write about if I cannot write about smoking?

[DaniBaje]

Yes smoking is substance abuse. Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes.

[DrIG]

Smoking is substance abuse since it is habit that many are dependent upon and which is well known to cause physical harm./