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Abstract
Alcohol-related research from the Arab world has rarely touched on the experiences
or views of Arab adolescents. In this article, we present an in-depth analysis of
youth alcohol drinking patterns and determinants derived from focus group discussions
completed with more than 100 Lebanese high school/vocational students (15-19 years).
The social ecology of alcohol use framework guided our research and analysis. Findings
reveal that alcohol drinking is perceived as a pervasive and serious public health
problem, triggered by a complex web of social relations, and facilitated by lax policies.
Recommendations to curb heavy/harmful alcohol drinking among adolescents include regulating
the role of alcohol industry, providing alternative recreational spaces/pass-times,
educating about alcohol-related harms, and promoting more research on alcohol and
its harms. Findings confirm the social ecology of alcohol use framework, and suggest
the addition of the macro level of influence to this model, namely, a comprehensive
alcohol harm reduction policy.