According to Indonesian media Media Indonesia on April 25th, the European branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) recently stated in a report that the use of alcohol and e-cigarettes among young people has become a "concerning" trend, and recommended taking measures to restrict their access to these items.
Based on survey data from 280,000 adolescents aged 11, 13, and 15 in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the report highlights a "disturbing" picture of substance use among teenagers.
In response, the World Health Organization warned, "The long-term implications of these trends are extremely significant, and policymakers should not ignore these concerning findings."
A report has found that 57% of 15-year-old adolescents have tried alcohol. The percentage is higher among females at 59% compared to males at 56%. The WHO has pointed out that overall, alcohol consumption among males is decreasing while it is increasing among females. The report also highlights the increase in e-cigarette use among teenagers. Despite a decrease in the number of smokers, a significant number have switched to e-cigarettes - a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly common among adolescents. The report shows that 32% of 15-year-old adolescents have used e-cigarettes, with 20% using them in the past 30 days.
Hans Kluge, the Regional Director for Europe at the World Health Organization, stated in a declaration that "Across Europe, and even globally, many countries' youth are widely using harmful substances, posing a serious threat to public health.
Klug is calling for increased taxes, sales and advertising restrictions, and a ban on added flavorings.
"This report also points out that "the high risks undertaken in adolescence may shape adult behavior, and early use of harmful substances is associated with a higher risk of addiction." "This comes at a high cost to both them and society."
At the same time, the report found that the proportion of teenage marijuana users has slightly decreased. Among 15-year-olds, the rate of those who have used marijuana in the past has decreased by 4 percentage points compared to four years ago.
The HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) survey, conducted every four years by the World Health Organization, aims to understand the health behaviors of children aged 11, 13, and 15, and also includes an investigation into substance use.
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