Childhood academic ability in relation to cigarette, alcohol and cannabis use from adolescence into early adulthood: Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE)

GENERAL COMMENTS This is a potentially interesting longitudinal study of childhood academic ability and substance use across adolescence, based on data from a relatively large cohort study in England. The authors find high ability is associated with a reduced risk for persistent smoking, whereas opposite associations are seen with the frequency of alcohol use and cannabis use. The results may have value in clarifying the long-term associations between academic ability and the development of substance use, where earlier studies have resulted in some inconsistency. However, there are some issues with the study methods and analyses which need to be clarified. The following specific points may be considered.