CHAPTER 2

VICE CONTROL LAWS

ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY
The use of alcohol has created major social, economic, and health
problems nationwide- an ironic consequence of ineffective government
controls. Many Filipinos have developed alcohol dependence or abuse, a
pattern of continuous drinking that may lead to addiction and almost
always causes severe problems.
Alcohol abuse or Dependence is commonly referred to as
Alcoholism- It is also called problem drinking. The stage when a person
has the difficulty of quitting a habit of alcohol drinking. This means he
cannot live without it. If he tries to stop drinking, he will shiver and
shake and feel very bad symptoms. He may also experience acute
anxiety or fear, delirium, and hallucinations.

ALCOHOL ABUSE CONTROL

With the aforementioned devastating effects of alcohol, therefore, it
must be controlled. Solely treating people with medications cannot
control the problem of drinking and alcoholism. Treatment should be
coupled with proper education in schools and the adult community to
develop the nation's moderation habits in alcoholic beverages. It requires
investigation and testing of social policies on the control of the
distribution of alcohol as well as the effective implementation of these
prevention policies.

LEGAL CONTROL

INTOXICATION
Under the law is an Alternative Circumstance. Alternative
Circumstances must be considered as aggravating or mitigating
circumstances according to the nature and effects of the crime and other
conditions attending its commission. The intoxication of the offender is
taken into consideration as a mitigating circumstance when the offender
has committed a felony in a state of intoxication if the same is not
habitual or subsequent to the plan to commit said felony.

LIQUOR AS A VOLATILE SUBSTANCE

Under P.D 1619, sale and offer to sell to minors of liquor s or
beverages with alcoholic content of 30% or above is punishable by 6
months, one day to 4 years imprisonment, and a fine of 600.00 to 4000.00
pesos.

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SOCIAL CONTROL
Social control of alcoholism comes in varied means like education
and awareness, community activities, and individual or group therapies.
Today, one of the numerous programs for alcoholics is the religious
means of Alcoholics Anonymous or the Double-A
Alcoholic Anonymous
It is a practical approach to the problem of alcoholism, which
has met considerable success. It is an organization that operates in a
non-professional counseling program in which both person-to-person and
group relationships are emphasized. It accepts teenagers and adults with
drinking problems, has no fees or dues, does not keep records or case
histories, does not participate in political causes, and is not affiliated with
any religious sect. However, spiritual development is the key aspect of its
treatment approach. To ensure the anonymity of the alcoholic, only first
names are used. Meetings are devoted partly to social activities but
consist mainly of discussion of the participants’ problems with alcohol,
often with testimonials from those who have recovered from alcoholism
and how they faced it.

MEDICAL CONTROL
Alcoholism can be treated through biological measures ranging
from detoxification procedures to brain surgery. However, it is more
practical for alcoholics to undergo medical measures of detoxification.

Detoxification
It is the elimination of alcoholic substances from the
individual’s body, treatment of withdrawal symptoms, and a medical
regimen for physical rehabilitation. These can be handled in a hospital or
clinic, where drugs such as Chlordiazepoxide have revolutionized mainly
the treatment of withdrawal symptoms. Likewise, the drug Disulfiram
(Antabuse) can create uncomfortable effects when followed by alcohol
and may be administered to prevent an immediate return to drinking.

ALCOHOL INVESTIGATION

Illicit Liquors
A thorough search of the premises, especially cattle sheds,
unfrequented places, ravines, and jungles, is necessary to locate
unauthorized stills and storage. The collection of evidence includes the
collection of paraphernalia, fingerprints, and tool marks.

Evidence of Intoxication
Intoxication may have to be established in cases of death,
offenses against a person, motor vehicle accidents, and cases where
diminished responsibility is claimed as a defense. Evidence of
intoxication requires the collection of samples of blood, urine, saliva, or
breath, whenever possible, and other body fluids for laboratory
examinations.

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 Examination for Intoxication
Intoxication is identified through various means like physical
tests, alcohol analysis, and medical examinations. In medical
examination, the investigator should consider the smell of the breath,
state of clothing, general demeanor, speech, eyes, walking, memory,
breathing, and tremors of the extremities.

ALCOHOL
An alcoholic drink often contains anywhere from 3% to 40%
alcohol. Such drinks are legally sold and consumed in many
countries around the world.
The term “alcoholism” refers to problems related to alcohol
consumption. Generally, it is used to refer to the uncontrolled and
compulsive- consumption of alcoholic drinks in a way that is
detrimental to the well-being of the drinker as it affects one’s
health, social standing, work, and personal relationships.
Medically speaking, alcoholism is considered a disease and
an addictive illness. the misuse of alcohol can potentially damage
major organs in the body, including the brain. Moreover, the
cumulative toxic effects of chronic alcohol abuse can cause medical
and psychiatric problems and, in most cases, can lead to various
criminal activities. Thus, the production and selling of alcohol is a
widely regulated industry (Alcoholism, n.d.).

Types of Alcoholic Drinks

Wine
Wine is a kind of ferments beverage commonly produced from
grapes. The process of making wine involves longer fermentation and
aging process compared with beer, as it can take months and years.
Thus, the alcohol content of wine is usually 9% to 16% ABV. Its less
intoxicating form, sparkling wine, is produced via secondary
fermentation. Thus, its alcohol content is even lower.
Beer
This is a kind of fermented beverage made from mashed barley or a
combination of several types of grains. Beer is the most consumed
alcoholic beverage in the world because it is relatively cheaper
compared with its other counterparts.
Distilled Spirits
A distilled spirit or liquor is another kind of alcoholic beverage
produced by extracting or distilling ethanol, which is produced by
fermenting fruit, grain, or vegetables. Distilled, alcoholic beverages that

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are unsweetened and have an alcohol content of 20% ABV are called
spirits. For its stronger forms, such as whiskey and vodka, the alcohol
content is around 40%.
In North America, the term “hard liquor” is used to distinguish
distilled beverages (vodka, tequila, gin, whiskey, soju, brandy0 from
undistilled beverages (implicitly weaker).

Alcohol Abuse
Anything that is done in excess can lead to many problems. In this
case of alcohol abuse, such problems may arise at work, at home and at
school. Apart from damaging your health and personal relationships, the
excessive use of alcohol can lead to many forms of criminal activities.
According to the experts, the tendency to abuse alcohol may stem from a
combination of one’s genes, environment, and psychological traits.
Predictors of Alcohol Abuse
One is likely to abuse alcohol or become dependent on it if he or
she meets any or all of these predictors:
 The feeling of low self-esteem
 Being an adult/ young adult under pressure
 Experiencing symptoms of depression, schizophrenia, bipolar
disorder, and anxiety disorders.
 Easy and unregulated access to alcohol.
 Relationship, life, financial problems.
 A stressful lifestyle
Who has a drinking problem?
First of all, the symptoms of alcohol dependence include the
following:
 Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms when one
hasn’t had a drink for sometimes:
 Development of various illnesses from alcohol use, and
 Requiring an increasing amount of alcohol to maintain
the feeling of being drunk.
Additionally, one may have a drinking problem if he/she:
 Continues to drink, even when one’s health, work, or
family are being harmed.
 Easily becomes excited or tense when drinking.
 He tries to hide his alcohol use
 Drinks alone

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  Becomes hostile when asked about one’s drinking
habits.
 Misses work or school or doesn’t perform well because
of drinking.
 Makes excuses to drink.
 Stops joining activities because of alcohol.
 Doesn’t eat a lot or eat poorly.
 He/She doesn’t care about hygiene and how he/she
dresses.
 He/She needs to consume alcohol on most days to get
through the day.
 Experiences chills and shakes in the morning or after
periods when one has not had anything to drink.
What are the risks of alcohol problems?
Drinking a lot of alcohol can put one at risk for so many alcohol-
related problems. According to experts, those who are at significant risk
are the following:
 Male drinkers who consume 15 or more drinks a week (wherein
one drink is equal to a 5 oz. glass of wine, a 1.5 oz. shot of liquor,
or a 12 oz. bottle of beer);
 Female drinkers who consume 12 or more drinks a week;
 Male and female drinkers who consume alcoholic drinks at a time
at least once a week; and
 Non-drinkers who have a parent/s suffering from alcoholism.

Effects of Excessive Alcohol Intake

Alcohol-related brain damage results from the toxic effects of
alcohol and can be worsened by nutritional deficiencies, liver damage,
alcohol withdrawal, and electrolyte imbalances. Excessive alcohol intake
is associated with significant cognitive decline, particularly in elderly
drinkers, who are especially vulnerable to its harmful effects on the
brain.
Mental Health Effects
Heavy drinkers and alcohol abusers often experience high rates of
major depressive disorders, which can create a cycle of self-medication
through alcohol. The suicide rate among alcoholics is significantly
elevated, being up to 20 times higher than the general population, with
around 15% of alcoholics ultimately committing suicide. This risk
increases further for those who abuse both alcohol and drugs, as
approximately 33% of suicide cases in individuals under 35 are linked to
substance abuse.
Sleep Deprivation

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 Ironically, chronic alcohol abuse for sleep can lead to insomnia.
Frequent awakenings due to headaches and sweating interrupt sleep
stages. Abruptly stopping can cause sleep disturbances and vivid dreams.
Chronic alcohol use is associated with suppressed REM sleep and
fragmentation of REM, affecting NREM stages 3 and 4.
Liver disease
Alcoholic liver disease is an increasing public health concern.
Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and fatty
liver, making it a leading cause of liver cancer in the Western world,
responsible for up to 45% of cases. Treatment options are limited,
primarily focusing on discontinuing alcohol consumption. In severe cases,
liver transplants from abstinent donors are the only viable solution.
Pancreatitis
Most cases of chronic and acute pancreatitis are linked to alcohol
abuse. Chronic pancreatitis can cause intestinal malabsorption and
diabetes, while alcoholic pancreatitis leads to severe abdominal pain and
may result in pancreatic cancer.
Hormonal Imbalance
Excessive alcohol intake can cause hypoestrogenism. Alcoholic
beverages may contain estrogen-like compounds. In males, high estrogen
can result in gynecomastia and testicular failure, while in women, it has
been linked to breast cancer.
Sexual dysfunction
Excessive long-term alcohol intake can harm both the central and
peripheral nervous systems, leading to reduced sexual desire and
impotence in men. This results from decreased testosterone due to
ethanol-induced testicular atrophy, contributing to increased feminization
in males, particularly those with alcohol-related cirrhosis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Frequent and regular alcohol consumption has been linked to a
decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Two studies found that those who
drank the most were 50% less likely to develop the condition compared to
those who drank the least.

TOBACCO (SMOKING VICE)

Background
The tobacco plant, scientifically known as Nicotiana Tabacum, is
a plant grown for its leaves, which are smoked, chewed, or sniffed for a
variety of effects. Tobacco is considered addictive because it contains the
addictive chemical Nicotine. Sniffing and chewing tobacco originated in

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North America and Europe. It was Christopher Columbus who introduced
tobacco into Europe. It became then popular with the Portuguese,
Spanish, French, British, and Scandinavians.

Tobacco Smoking
The use of tobacco is one of the foremost public health problems in
the world today. Tobacco has for centuries been used all over the world
as a way of increasing the enjoyment of life or as an aid in coping with
some of its problems.
The World Health Organization estimates that around the world,
one person dies every 13 seconds from tobacco-related diseases.
Doctors cite 50,000 scientific studies from various independent
bodies that have proved beyond doubt that smoking is responsible for
around 90% of all cases of lung cancer, 95% of all cases of chronic
bronchitis and emphysema, and 25% of heart conditions in men under 65
years of age.
The World Health Organization Advisory Panel on Smoking and
Health estimates that at least two million of 30 million Filipinos under 20
years of age today will eventually be killed by smoking. Smoking
threatens not only adults but also children born and unborn.
Too often, smoking begins in the early teens or even earlier.
Becoming a smoker may have the immediate value to some teenagers of
being accepted by their peers and feeling more mature because smoking
is an adult behavior; to the child, it provides a level of psychological
stimulation and pleasure, and might even serve the function of an act of
defiance to authority figures.

TOBACCO CHEMICALS
The three (3) most common components of tobacco cigarettes and
cigarette smoke are:
1. Nicotine is the most essential active ingredient in controlled
doses. It is a highly toxic substances, a typical cigarette contains 1-
2 mg of nicotine. When smoked, less than 1 mg from each cigarette
is filtered or not depending on the characteristics of the filter, the
depth and frequency of inhalation, and the length of the butt.
2. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas similar to the gas emanating
from a car’s exhaust pipe. It impairs the capacity of the blood to
supply adequate amounts of oxygen to the body's vital organs. It is
responsible for the shortness of breath among smokers.
3. Tar: the brownish viscous substance known to be the cancer-
causing component of tobacco smoking. It also stains the fingers,
teeth, and tongue of the smoker. Along with other n0xious
substances in cigarette smoking, it can lead to lung cancer,
emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
The other chemicals found in tobacco are Acetone, Ammonia,
Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen Cyanide, Methane, and Benzopyrene.

MEASURES TO REDUCE SMOKING

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 Government support of anti-smoking campaigns demonstrates a
commitment to the eradication of health problems related to smoking
and public influences and attitude to smoking.
Successful programs to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use by
young people need a combination of legislative measures and health
education, including:
1. Prohibition of sales to minors.
2. Prohibition of smoking in schools and other places frequented by
the young.
3. Restriction on advertising and promotion of tobacco products,
especially those aimed at young people.
4. Health education at both primary and secondary levels at school.
5. Use of fiscal policies to increase the price of tobacco products.
6. Health warnings on cigarette packets
7. Collaborations with the media to deglamorize the image of the
smoker.

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