More than one in five 15-year-olds recently used e-cigarettes and more than half have already tried alcohol. That is the conclusion of a report published on Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted in Europe, Central Asia and Canada.
The new data from the study also points to a narrowing gender gap in substance use. There is therefore a need for targeted prevention strategies, according to the WHO. “The long-term consequences of these trends are significant and policymakers cannot afford to ignore these alarm bells.”
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among adolescents: 57 percent of 15-year-olds have tried alcohol at least once and almost four in ten (37 percent) indicated that they had used alcohol in the 30 days before the survey.
E-cigarettes more popular than regular cigarettes
E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular, the report shows. They have surpassed regular cigarettes: 32 percent of 15-year-olds surveyed reported ever using e-cigarettes and 20 percent in the 30 days before the survey, compared to 25 and 15 percent for regular cigarettes.
The use of cannabis is actually decreasing slightly: the percentage of 15-year-olds who have ever used cannabis will decrease from 14 percent in 2018 to 12 percent in 2022.
The gender gap is now rapidly closing. At age 15, girls equal or exceed boys in smoking and use of alcohol and e-cigarettes.
The research shows the urgent need for strong prevention strategies to protect young people from harmful substances, WHO says. “It is crucial to recognize that the negative impact of these substances extends beyond the users and affects youth in general.”
LOOK. In five years, twice as many young people have started vaping
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Tags: Report Girls equal surpass boys age smoking drinking vaping Medical
