Smoking and alcohol use as a symbol of adulthood

This study explores the meanings that adolescents attribute to smoking and alcohol consumption, and how these practices relate to adulthood, gender roles, religion, and family dynamics. While smoking and alcohol use are often examined from biological or psychological perspectives, this research approaches them sociologically through the lens of symbolic interactionism. Employing a qualitative phenomenological design, the study was conducted in Samsun, Türkiye, with 32 participants aged 14–18. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews using the snowball sampling method and analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings reveal that adolescents often perceive smoking and drinking as symbols of adulthood, expressions of freedom and individuality, and means of social belonging. Among male participants, these behaviors frequently serve as performances of masculinity, whereas religious beliefs and parental control significantly influence patterns of consumption. Ultimately, the study concludes that adolescent smoking and alcohol use should be understood not merely as health-related behaviors, but as symbolic acts embedded in social meanings, identity formation, and transitions to adulthood.