Patterns of family response to drinking and smoking were studied in a
sample of 1034 adults in Ontario in 1993. Concerning tobacco smoking,
69% of respondents reported having said something to a relative and 82
% to a friend; concerning drinking, 46% had said something to a relati
ve and 65% to a friend. Having said something did not vary much with t
he respondent's age, educational level and smoking or drinking status,
except that current smokers were less likely than others to have said
something to a friend or acquaintance, while heavier drinkers were mo
re likely to have said something to a friend or acquaintance, and ex-d
rinkers were more likely to have said something to a relative. About h
alf of all who had ever smoked reported a family member (57%) or a fri
end (47%) had said something to them about their smoking, compared wit
h much smaller proportions of ever-drinkers who reported that a family
member (14%) or a friend (8%) had ever said anything about their drin
king. Both drinking and smoking are recognized by many respondents as
imposing burdens on the family. Family members often comment on drinki
ng and smoking, and make suggestions about cutting down or quitting.