Tobacco, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs is a wide ranging course that takes a public health approach. It has relevance for population health related to tobacco use, tobacco control and smoking cessation, drug, use, health management of people who are drug users and abusers, drug policy, and raises important controversial issues. We examine the prevalence and health effects of tobacco use; the stages of the tobacco epidemic worldwide and the role of the tobacco industry; and smoking cessation: what it involves and how cessation and tobacco control can best be achieved. Use of alcohol and illicit drugs is a major issue in determining the health of individuals and populations in developed and developing countries. This course is an internal course comprising several face-to-face meetings interspersed with independent work on modules of activities. There will be 2 assignments required. At the end of this course students will understand the patterns of drug use and health effects; and will have learnt about issues of drug dependence. Students will learn about the range of public health approaches available to minimise problems related to substance abuse such as harm reduction strategies. Students will develop skills in brief interventions to use with excessive drinkers and smokers and will appreciate the issues associated with relapse. This course provides students with important knowledge and skills that will enable them to plan effective tobacco, alcohol and drug service.