Lacey RE, et al. - Using data on 10,940 children from the UK's Millennium Cohort Study, the researchers examined whether parental absence in early childhood was correlated with smoking and alcohol uptake before adolescence. They used logistic regression to test relationships between parental absence (0–7 years) and reports of smoking and alcohol consumption at age 11. Data reported that parental absence was linked with increased risk of smoking and alcohol consumption prior to adolescence. In order to prevent smoking and alcohol initiation, children who experience parental absence should be supported in early life.