A man smokes cannabis (illustrative image).

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Thomas SAMSON / AFP

Practices change, addiction remains.

Less tobacco and less alcohol for European teens, but more cannabis and "addictive behavior online", according to a new study on risky practices published on Thursday.

The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), carried out since 1995, shows a steady decline in the attraction of young people to drink, mainly due to the tightening of sales laws alcohol to minors.

Alcohol consumption remains high, however: on average more than three-quarters of teens aged 15 to 16 have consumed alcohol in their lifetime and almost half (47%) have consumed it in the last month. , compared to 63% in 2003.

Twice fewer smokers in 25 years

“Significant one-time drinking” falls to its lowest level.

This trend - particularly through “binge drinking” which consists of drinking a lot in a short period of time - peaked in 2007. Furthermore, less than 7% of pupils admit having experienced a state of intoxication before the age of. 13 years old, with strong disparities depending on the country.

In France, 15% of second grade students had excessively used alcohol in the past month.

Cigarette consumption is also falling.

Daily cigarette smoking affects 10% of young people aged 15 to 16 in Europe, which is half as much as 25 years ago.

But the variables are considerable from one country surveyed to another: less than 2% of young daily smokers in Iceland, against a quarter of high school students in Bulgaria, while 22% of French adolescents smoked at least one cigarette during the month. elapsed.

Cannabis use on the rise

For the first time, researchers are also interested in the use of electronic cigarettes, very popular among young Americans, and much less in Europe.

Curiously, among young people explaining that they have never smoked tobacco, 14% admit to having vaped nicotine at least once in the past month.

In France, 16% of young people say they have used this device recently, which appeals to boys much more than girls.

16% of the 15-16 year olds questioned declared having used cannabis at least once in their life (11% in 1995).

Frequent consumption (once a month) is also significantly increasing.

While consumption considered “problematic” (more than once a month) amounts to 4% of those questioned, with a very high prevalence in Italy (15%).

More and more time on smartphones

In France, 24% of Seconde pupils had already used an illicit drug at least once.

Of all the Europeans surveyed, young French people are the most likely to report an experiment with cocaine (2.8%) at that age.

Under the growing popularity of smartphones, video game addiction is exploding among young Europeans.

In most countries, boys spend twice as much time playing it as girls.

And on social media, usage time ranges from two to three hours on a regular school day and six or more hours on other days.

The latest trend is that gambling is once again popular with teenagers: 22% of young people questioned declared having played at least one game in the last 12 months, mainly lotteries.

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