Irish teenagers are smoking and drinking less than their European counterparts, but the country ranks fourth highest in the EU for youth vaping, according to a comprehensive new OECD health report.
The Health at a Glance study reveals Ireland has the EU’s lowest smoking rate among 15-year-olds at just 7%, alongside one of the lowest rates of cannabis use at 4%. Teen drunkenness is also well below EU averages, with only 13% reporting repeated episodes.
However, the report flags a concerning trend in vaping, with over 10% of Irish youth aged 15-24 regularly using e-cigarettes – significantly higher than the EU average of 2.7%. This comes as health experts debate vaping’s role as both a potential smoking cessation tool and a possible gateway to tobacco use.
Despite these mixed findings, Ireland shows other positive health indicators among its youth. The country ranks in the top five for teen physical activity levels and has achieved over 60% HPV vaccination coverage for boys. Nutrition remains a challenge though, with 47% of teens reporting they don’t eat fruits or vegetables daily.
According to The Irish Examiner, Public Health Minister Colm Burke welcomed the “encouraging trends” while acknowledging ongoing work toward a tobacco-free Ireland, including plans to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21.