Young people are consuming alcohol in public places in Helsinki. Young people are drinking less alcohol than before. LEHTIKUVA
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The latest findings from a European survey reveal a significant shift in substance use among Finnish ninth graders. While traditional alcohol and tobacco use continues to decline, the use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is on the rise.
The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) has been monitoring substance use among European students since 1995.
The survey, conducted every four years, includes 16-year-olds across 23 to 39 European countries. The 2024 results from Finland provide a mixed picture of youth behavior regarding substance use.
Alcohol Use Declines, but Binge Drinking Stagnates
The proportion of ninth graders who have never consumed alcohol has increased dramatically from 10% in 1995 to 35% in 2024. Despite this positive trend, the reduction in binge drinking, which had been declining until 2015, appears to have stalled. As of 2024, 9% of boys and 6% of girls reported drinking at least six units of alcohol weekly.
There is also a worrying trend in perceptions of binge drinking. More teens now believe that heavy episodic drinking poses few health risks, contrary to established medical advice.
Traditional Tobacco Use Drops, E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches Surge
Daily smoking among ninth graders has decreased significantly, with only 6% of boys and 4% of girls smoking daily in 2024, down from around 20% at the beginning of the decade. However, the use of e-cigarettes, or vapes, is rising, with 40% of teens having tried them, up from 34% in 2019. Daily use is reported by 9% of boys and 13% of girls.
The use of snus, a form of smokeless tobacco, has also seen a decline. In 2024, 26% of boys and 13% of girls had tried snus, with daily use at 7% for boys and 3% for girls.
A new challenge has emerged with the increased use of nicotine pouches following the lifting of sales restrictions in 2023. By 2024, 31% of boys and 17% of girls had tried nicotine pouches, with 11% of boys and 3% of girls using them daily. Kirsimarja Raitasalo, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), highlighted the addictive nature of nicotine pouches and their harmful effects on young brains.
Gambling and Cannabis Use
Since the legal age for gambling machines was raised from 15 to 18 in 2011, youth gambling has plummeted. Weekly gambling among boys dropped from 45% in 2011 to just 4% in 2024. Girls’ participation fell to near zero from a previous range of 5% to 8%.
Cannabis experimentation has slightly decreased, particularly among boys, with 11% of boys and 9% of girls having tried it in 2024. This is a reduction from 13% and 9%, respectively, in 2019. Despite this, there is an increasing perception that cannabis is easy to obtain.
Increasing Stimulant Drug Use
Experimentation with stimulant drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy has seen a slight increase. In 2024, 4% of students reported trying these drugs, up from 3% in 2019. Alarmingly, attitudes towards these substances have become more lenient, with more teens viewing their use as low-risk.
Preventive Measures
Raitasalo emphasizes the importance of factual education about substances and their risks, suggesting that schools, youth organizations, and community groups play a crucial role. Supporting families and parenting from early childhood is also vital to prevent substance abuse and other risky behaviors among teens.
The full international report from ESPAD will be published in 2025, providing a broader context on how Finland compares to other European nations. Early indications suggest that countries like Sweden and Norway, which report lower alcohol and cannabis use among teens, continue to see declines in alcohol consumption with stable cannabis use rates.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
