DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend is not a heavy drinker, but he does like a couple of beers every night. I have never seen him drunk or even tipsy.

My father doesn't drink any kind of alcohol whatsoever and he despises those who do, because both of his parents were alcoholics who died relatively young due to their drinking habits. Dad doesn't like me to be seeing Josh because one day he smelled alcohol on his breath. Josh told Dad he has a couple of beers a day, but has his alcohol intake under control. My dad thinks that two drinks a day qualifies the drinker to be called an alcoholic.

Please tell my dad that he is misinformed. Two beers is not a lot to drink in a day. Some of Josh's friends drink a six-pack of beer a day. — Sherry, Ames, Iowa.

SHERRY: Someone can be considered an alcoholic not only by the amount he drinks but also by how often. Since your boyfriend consumes alcohol daily, he has, by definition, a drinking problem. He could very well be an alcoholic, or on his way to becoming one. And the fact that he has friends who are capable of putting away a six-pack of beer a day means he's part of a drinking culture; his role models and peers are heavy drinkers.

Sorry, but Dad is right. You're seeing a young man who drinks too much!

I WISH YOUR DAUGHTER ALL THE BEST

DR. WALLACE: I'm writing to tell you about a very special person, my daughter. She graduated from high school in June. To some that might not be a big deal, but it is to me. She has struggled with school on and off and it hasn't been easy for her. You see, Dr. Wallace, just a couple of weeks ago she turned 20. She had promised me that she would stay in school and graduate and she did. I just had to write and tell the world how proud I am of my daughter. — Mom, Seattle, Wash.

MOM: I seldom print letters from parents, but your happiness beamed through your letter, and I had to help you tell the world how proud you are of your daughter's accomplishment. She just proved that the old adage "Where there's a will, there's a way" is an accurate one.

Your message, Mom, gave me a wonderful feeling, and I wish your daughter all the best!

TEEN GIRLS SMOKE MORE THAN BOYS

DR. WALLACE: Our health teacher said that a higher percentage of teenage girls smoke than boys. I find this hard to believe. None of my close friends smoke, but we know a lot of boys who do. Are there any reliable statistics on this? — Mindy, Naples, Fla.

MINDY: According to the American Cancer Society, the percentage of teen girls who smoke has risen dramatically. It is estimated that 25 percent of teen girls smoke, which is higher than the percentage of boys who smoke. It might be difficult to believe — but it's true!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.