The aim of this study was to analyze gender differences in the use of
legal substances as alcohol and tobacco in adolescence. The sample, collected in
five centers of secondary education, was composed by 352 adolescents of both
sexes. The results showed that the profile of using this type of substances has changed.
Decades ago it seemed that only men consumed these substances. At the
moment not significant statistical differences have been found between both sexes
in this type of behaviours. This fact is in harmony with the phase 3 enunciated by
Lopez, Collishaw and Piha (1994), who explain theoretically the dynamic of the
addiction to tobacco in the developmental countries. It is recommended to continue
in this line of research with the purpose of developing more effective programs
of intervention.