Drinking and Vaping Trends Among European Youth

A recent report released by the WHO Regional Office for Europe sheds light on concerning trends of alcohol consumption, smoking, vaping, and cannabis use among young people across Europe. The findings, drawn from surveys conducted in various European countries, underscore the prevalence of substance use among adolescents, despite efforts to curb such behaviors.

The report highlights alarming statistics, such as nearly ten percent of eleven-year-old boys in Bulgaria reporting experiences of intoxication, while almost 20 percent have experimented with smoking. In Lithuania, one in five eleven-year-olds has already tried e-cigarettes.

While there are notable disparities between countries, the data collectively reveal a worrisome trend: a significant proportion of young people aged eleven to fifteen are engaging with addictive substances across Europe. Alcohol consumption is particularly prevalent, with six percent of eleven-year-olds admitting to having consumed alcohol within the past month, escalating to over a third among fifteen-year-olds. Danish adolescents top the list for alcohol consumption, with nearly 70 percent reporting recent alcohol intake.

E-cigarette use is also widespread, surpassing traditional tobacco cigarette consumption among European youth. Approximately 20 percent of fifteen-year-olds surveyed reported vaping in the month prior, with Lithuania exhibiting the highest rate at over 30 percent. The report identifies the surge in e-cigarette use as a major public health concern, citing the susceptibility of young, developing brains to nicotine addiction.

Concerning tobacco smoking, fifteen-year-olds across Europe show varying rates, with Greenland recording the highest prevalence among girls. However, overall smoking rates appear to be declining, albeit unevenly across different age groups and countries.

Cannabis use among fifteen-year-olds remains relatively low compared to other substances, with six percent reporting recent consumption. However, in Germany, adolescents tend to smoke, vape, and use cannabis slightly more than the European average, particularly standing out in alcohol consumption, where around 55 percent reported recent alcohol intake, ranking third in Europe.

The variations in reported substance use can be attributed to diverse prevention measures, cultural norms, and socio-economic factors across countries. Carina Ferreira-Borges, responsible for alcohol and drugs at WHO Europe, emphasizes the need for tailored interventions adapted to each country's specific context.

The report draws on data from the international "Health Behavior in School-aged Children study," conducted every four years, involving 280,000 young people from 44 countries and regions in 2021 and 2022. It serves as a critical resource for understanding and addressing substance use among adolescents on a global scale.

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