A comprehensive analysis of the latest Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study data reveals significant insights into adolescent substance use patterns across Europe, Central Asia, and Canada. Published by WHO/Europe, the new report highlights concerning trends that demand attention and targeted preventive action.
- Prevalence of alcohol consumption: Alcohol is the most frequently consumed substance among adolescents, with 57% of 15-year-olds having tried alcohol at least once and nearly 4 in 10 (37%) indicating they’ve consumed alcohol in the past 30 days.
- The popularity of e-cigarettes: E-cigarettes have surpassed conventional cigarettes in popularity, with 32% of 15-year-olds reporting e-cigarette use at some point and 20% in the past 30 days.
- Cannabis use trends: Cannabis use shows a slight decrease, with the percentage of 15-year-olds who have ever used cannabis falling from 14% in 2018 to 12% in 2022.
- Narrowing gender gap: The disparity in substance use between genders is rapidly closing, with girls equaling or surpassing boys in rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and e-cigarette use by the age of 15.
Alcohol use widespread among adolescents
Roughly 1 in 10 (9%) adolescents across all age groups have experienced significant drunkenness – being drunk at least twice – in their lifetime, a rate that alarmingly climbs from 5% at age 13 to 20% by age 15, showcasing an escalating trend in alcohol abuse among youth. Furthermore, recent patterns reveal that the incidence of drunkenness within the past 30 days also increases with age, jumping from 5% among 13-year-olds to an alarming 15% among 15-year-olds, highlighting an urgent need for targeted intervention strategies to curb this growing issue of underage drinking.
These findings highlight how available and normalised alcohol is, showing the urgent need for better policy measures to protect children and young people from harms caused by alcohol.
E-cigarettes are more popular than conventional cigarettes among adolescents
The use of e-cigarettes is becoming increasingly popular among adolescents. The study found that around a third (32%) of 15-year-olds had used e-cigarettes during their lifetime, and 20% had used them in the past 30 days. This compares with 25% of 15-year-olds having smoked a cigarette in their lifetime and 15% having smoked a cigarette in the last 30 days.
A higher proportion of e-cigarette use compared to cigarette smoking can be seen from the age of 13: 11% of 13-year-olds report having ever smoked a cigarette, compared with 16% who have ever used an e-cigarette. 5% of 13-year-olds report smoking a cigarette in the last 30 days compared to 9% who used an e-cigarette in the last 30 days. This transition to e-cigarettes as a more popular choice than conventional cigarettes calls for targeted interventions to address this emerging public health concern.
“I play a lot of video games.” said Imran, a 15-year-old boy WHO/Europe interviewed in Sweden, “If your character is holding an alcoholic drink in his hands, or a cigarette, that can impact you and makes it seem normal.”
The study highlights the urgent need for robust prevention strategies to safeguard adolescents from harmful substances. It’s crucial to recognise that the negative impact of these substances extends beyond users, affecting the broader youth community. Every child deserves a chance to thrive in an environment that is safe and nurturing, one that shields them from the risks associated with alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco usage.
Cannabis use decreases slightly
Gender gap narrows in adolescent substance use: girls catching up to boys
The closing of historical gender gaps in substance use, especially among older adolescents, calls for the development of prevention strategies that are sensitive to the unique experiences and needs of both boys and girls. Tailored interventions that consider these evolving dynamics are crucial for effective prevention.
Prevention measures are needed to protect the health of adolescents
To reduce the use of alcohol, nicotine and tobacco products and prevent their uptake by young people, comprehensive measures, outlined in various international treaties and WHO recommendations, must be urgently implemented. These include but are not limited to:
- the increase of excise taxes,
- limiting the availability of nicotine and tobacco products and alcohol, for example through reduced hours or locations of sale, and the enforcement of minimum legal ages for purchasing the products,
- banning all flavouring agents, including menthol and synthetic menthol analogues in all nicotine and tobacco products,
- and enforcing a comprehensive ban on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship opportunities on mainstream and social media.
