The widespread use of alcohol and e-cigarettes among adolescents is "alarming," according to a report released Thursday by the World Health Organization's (WHO) European branch, which recommended measures to limit access.
Based on survey data from 280,000 young people aged 11, 13 and 15 in Europe, Central Asia and Canada, the WHO said it showed a "concerning picture" of substance use among young people.
"The long-term consequences of these trends are significant, and policy-makers cannot afford to ignore these alarming findings," the health body said.
The report found that 57 per cent of 15-year-olds had drunk alcohol at least once, for girls the figure was 59 per cent, compared to 56 per cent of boys.
The WHO noted that overall drinking had decreased for boys, while it had increased for girls.
When it came to current use — defined as having drunk at least once in the last 30 days — eight per cent of 11-year-old boys reported having done so, compared to five per cent of girls.
