WHO warns of “alarming” consumption of alcohol and electronic cigarettes among adolescents

“Consumption of psychoactive substances at an early age is linked to a higher risk of addiction,” warns the United Nations agency.

The European branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) warns about consumption “alarming” of alcohol and electronic cigarettes among 11-15 year olds, in a report published Thursday April 25. After years of decline in the use of psychoactive substances, “some data suggests that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a further increase in consumption”, notes this survey, which brings together data from 280,000 young people in Europe, Central Asia and Canada. Containment measures have indeed changed the habits of 11-15 year olds. They have been more present online and exposed to digital advertisements.

If smoking is declining among adolescents in this age group (13% of them had already smoked in 2022), many of them have adopted electronic cigarettes. No less than 32% of 15-year-olds have already smoked, according to the report.

“A higher risk of addiction”

The international HBSC survey (Health behavior in school-aged children), carried out every four years under the aegis of the WHO Europe office, also reveals that alcohol is the psychoactive substance most frequently consumed by adolescents. Some 57% of 15-year-olds have drunk it at least once, and around one in ten teenagers (9%) have already been drunk during their life (5% from the age of 13 and 20% among those aged 15). . “This demonstrates a trend of escalation in alcohol abuse among young people”deplores WHO Europe in a press release.

These developments could leave their mark. “Adopting risky behaviors during adolescence can influence behavior in adulthood, with substance use at an early age linked to a higher risk of addiction, insists the WHO. The consequences are costly for them and for society.”

“The widespread use of harmful substances among children in many countries in the European region – and beyond – poses a serious threat to public health”, also underlines the regional director of the WHO, Hans Kluge. In particular, he calls for increasing taxes, limiting points of sale and advertising and banning flavoring agents to counter this trend.