ESPAD, the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs, is a very comprehensive survey. 15-16 year olds in 37 countries answer questions about drugs, alcohol and tobacco, mental health, and more.
Over 100,000 15-16 year olds answer the questions.
The survey has been conducted since 1995. This allows researchers to see trends.
One trend highlighted in the new report is vaping. 44% of young people have vaped at least once in their lives, 22% have vaped in the last 30 days and around 16% have tried e-cigs before the age of 13.
In the Nordic region as a whole, 19 percent had vaped in the past 30 days. The same percentage applies to Swedish youth, 19 percent. In the entire European survey area, 22 percent had vaped in the past 30 days.
– Here we see that it is increasing quite sharply in Sweden and the Nordic countries, says Siri Thor.
She is a researcher at CAN, the Swedish Association for Alcohol and Drug Awareness, and one of those responsible for the Swedish part of the survey.
Girls vape the most
Previously, it was more common for boys to smoke than girls. But that trend has been broken – it is more common for girls to smoke. When it comes to e-cigarettes, it is even clearer that girls are the biggest users. According to the researchers, this can be linked to the fact that companies flavor the products in an attractive way. In addition, companies target girls when they market e-cigarettes. also target girls. In addition, the researchers believe that there is a widespread perception that e-cigarettes are less dangerous.
In Sweden, 6,9 percent of girls vape daily. Among boys, the figure is 2,8 percent. On average, 4,8 percent vape daily.
Many more young people vape than smoke. Smoking continues to decline. 2 percent of the young people in the survey smoke every day. It is as common in Sweden as in the rest of the Nordic countries.
When it comes to infrequent smoking, Sweden is slightly below the Nordic average. On average, 18 percent had smoked at some point in the past 30 days. Relatively speaking, it was slightly lower in the Nordic countries, 10 percent. But in Sweden it was even slightly lower, 8 percent.
Nicotine – not just smoking
The researchers write in the report that a different public health policy is needed. Politicians need to have a broader view of the large variety of nicotine products. It is not as was first thought, that e-cigs, for example, are a less harmful product that smokers use to quit. There is increasing evidence that those who, for example, vape, eventually both smoke and vape. People get stuck in a nicotine addiction. Politicians cannot concentrate on just controlling smoking.
Footnote: The researchers do not ask about snus in the survey. They did not ask questions about either white or brown snus.
Source: ESPADS:survey
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