Evaluate The Stepping Stone Theory

The distribution and consumption of cigarettes have become social processes, which has embedded itself into a variety of cultures and used to build the foundation of kinship and relationships. Such social processes raise complex complications in it’s production and consumption, as in the case studied by Robyn Dwyer, the consumption of tobacco has become heavily embedded within Vietnamese culture, to where it is probable to suggest that tobacco can become a stepping stone or “gateway drug” to heroin. While still within Australia, Dwyer becomes heavily involved embedded in Vietnamese culture, becoming in a way accepted amongst them as her favors are reciprocated. However, questions are raised in this case study such as whether the social drug …show more content…
The stepping stone hypothesis was established during 1940 in response to whether the use of cannabis was the initial ‘step’ towards the use of other drugs (Chen et al., 2002). Viewing the case study, it would be a educated estimate to say that the Vietnamese dealers and consumers of heroin did not initially begin with said drug, and with their high cigarette intake, it would be probable to suggest that tobacco was the social drug which aided in their addiction and selling of heroin. Both stepping stone hypothesis and the gateway drug theory share a common trait, that categories of drugs are apparent within both. Such studies have been conducted stating that cigarettes are a gateway drug to the use of other drugs such as alcohol and other licit and illicit drugs (Chen et al., 2002). Yet while also observing this theory, its weaknesses must be addressed, such as hypothesises and suggestions being a heavy drive towards both theories, as it is not uncommon for licit drugs such as alcohol and cigarettes to be consumed by illicit drug users and nonillicit drug users, creating a difficult and at times impossible task of