The consumption of alcohol and electronic cigarettes among young people aged 11 to 15 is “alarming”, according to a report from the European branch of the WHO that recommends public health measures to limit access to alcoholic beverages.
“The widespread use of harmful substances among children in many countries in the European region (and beyond) poses a serious threat to public health,” warned World Health Organization (WHO) regional director Hans Kluge. quoted in a press release.
To counter this trend, it calls in particular to increase taxes, limit points of sale and advertising and ban flavorings.
After years of decline in the use of psychoactive substances, “some data suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a new increase in consumption,” says the report, which brings together data from 280,000 young people in Europe, Central Asia and Canada.
In fact, containment measures have changed the habits of children between 11 and 15 years old. They have been more present online and exposed to digital ads. This development could leave its mark.
Smoking is on the decline
“Adopting risky behaviors during adolescence can influence behavior in adulthood, with the use of psychoactive substances at an early age being related to a greater risk of addiction,” he insisted. “The consequences are costly for them and for society.”
The use of electronic cigarettes has increased, according to the report, around the world and this trend is especially marked among adolescents.
However, it is good news that smoking is decreasing: 13% of young people aged 11 to 15 have already smoked in 2022, two points less than four years ago. However, many have adopted e-cigarettes.
32% of 15-year-olds have already smoked and 20% have smoked in the last 30 days.
“A growing trend in alcohol abuse”
Conducted every four years under the auspices of the WHO European office, which brings together 53 countries and extends to Central Asia, the international HBSC survey (Health Behavior in School-Age Children) makes it possible to describe the health behaviors of 11, 13 and 15 year old students. It has different sections, including this one, dedicated to the consumption of psychoactive substances.
Alcohol is the substance most frequently consumed by adolescents. 57% of 15-year-olds have drunk it at least once and almost four in ten have consumed it in the last 30 days. Additionally, approximately one in ten adolescents (9%) have been very drunk throughout their lives. 5% were over 13 years old and 20% were 15 years old.
“This demonstrates a trend of escalating alcohol abuse among young people,” lamented WHO Europe in a press release.
“These results highlight the extent to which alcohol is available and normalized and show that there is an urgent need for better policy measures to protect children and young people from (its) harm,” the organization insisted.
Source: BFM TV
