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The latest findings on teenage drinking, smoking and drug use across Europe are released the 26th of March, 2009. The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD 2007) is a study of 15 and 16 year old teenagers in 35 European countries.
Professor Martin Plant commented: „ESPAD shows that the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs is widespread amongst 15 and 16 year olds across Europe. Even so, there has been a fall in both smoking and illicit drug use. This is good news for the health of young adults. Alcohol consumption has remained fairly stable, although a small reduction has recently been evident amongst boys. The UK retains its unenviable position in relation to both binge drinking, intoxication and alcohol-related problems amongst teenagers. This problem is both serious and chronic. I hope that the Government will prioritise policies that are effective to reduce heavy drinking and alcohol-related disorder and health problems amongst young people. Increasing numbers of young people are developing serious health problems related to drinking. More and more younger people also are dying prematurely due to their alcohol use.
„There is a clear scientific consensus that alcohol education and mass media campaigns have a very poor track record in influencing drinking habits. Far more effective (and cost effective) policies include using taxation to make alcohol less affordable. Alcohol problems do not only affect a tiny minority of very heavy drinkers. Everyone has a stake in public health and safety. Moreover, many people whose alcohol consumption is generally moderate also experience some adverse effects from their drinking. It is therefore recommended that a minimum price of 50 pence per unit of alcohol should be introduced. This would save over 3,000 lives per year. It would also reduce problems such as absenteeism, public disorder and hospital admissions. This measure would particularly affect harmful and hazardous drinkers. It could save £1 billion per year in the cost of alcohol-related harm. In addition, serious consideration must be given to raising the minimum age at which young people may consume or purchase alcoholic beverages, perhaps to eighteen years of age.“ (Source: Medical News Today, 4/2/09)