According to a report by BBC on April 25th, the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that Scotland has the highest rate of 15-year-old boys using marijuana in the world.
The study found that nearly a quarter (23%) of the Scottish 15-year-old boys surveyed reported having tried Class B drugs - marijuana.
The study initiated by the WHO is the largest of its kind to date, covering 280,000 children aged 11, 13, and 15 from 44 countries around the world. The survey also revealed that underage smoking is more prevalent in the UK compared to many other countries.
A survey questionnaire asked underage residents in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada about their use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. The study found that children in Scotland and Wales are more likely to use marijuana than many other countries, with these two countries ranking in the top five globally. Among the 4,000 Scottish teenagers surveyed, 23% of 15-year-old boys reported having tried marijuana, while 16% of girls the same age said they had. Marijuana use among girls in Canada ranked first globally, reaching 25%.
Dr. Jo Inchley, a researcher at the University of Glasgow, has expressed concern over the high rankings of Scottish boys in studies.
Compared to other countries, the rate of cannabis use among 15-year-old boys in Scotland is the highest in the entire study. This is concerning. Despite seeing decreases in these numbers, our figures are still relatively high compared to other countries.
Meanwhile, research has found that the e-cigarette usage rate in the UK is higher than the average level in other countries, with two-fifths of 15-year-old teenagers in England having tried an e-cigarette. Among the surveyed 15-year-old girls in Scotland, 40% reported using an e-cigarette, while boys had a rate of 33%.
A report confirms that in most countries, the use of e-cigarettes has surpassed traditional cigarette use. Nearly one in ten 11-year-olds said they have tried an e-cigarette at least once, with the proportion of boys using e-cigarettes rising to 26% by age 15, and girls rising to 40%.
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