Just 11 per cent of 11-15-year-olds have smoked at least once, according to the latest figures from NHS England – the lowest level ever recorded. Three per cent classed themselves as ‘current smokers’, with just 1 per cent saying they were regular smokers.
However, a quarter had tried a vape, and 9 per cent vape regularly – up from 6 per cent in 2018 – according to the Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England report for 2023.
The latest ONS statistics, released earlier this month, also revealed that less than 12 per cent of the adult population – around 6m people – were current smokers, again the lowest proportion since records began. The biggest drop in smoking prevalence – from more than 25 per cent in 2011 to less than 10 per cent – was among 18 to 24-year-olds.
According to the new NHS figures, the proportion of 11-15-year-olds who have ever taken a drug has fallen to 13 per cent from 18 per cent two years ago, with cannabis the drug most likely to have been used. However, 37 per cent said they’d had an alcoholic drink, a proportion unchanged since 2021. Fifteen per cent of 11-year-olds reported having drunk alcohol, rising to more than 60 per cent of 15-year-olds. Eleven per cent of 15-year-olds said they usually drank at least once a week.
The results are from an Ipsos UK survey of almost 14,000 secondary school pupils across 185 schools in England. Ten per cent of the children surveyed also reported feeling lonely ‘often or always’, with 18 per cent saying they felt they ‘often had no one to talk to’.
‘It’s very worrying to see a quarter of pupils tried vaping last year,’ said public health minister Andrew Gwynne. ‘The health advice is clear that children and adult non-smokers should never vape, so it is unacceptable to see unscrupulous retailers marketing them at children. Through the tobacco and vapes bill, we will stop vapes from being deliberately branded to target children, protecting future generations from becoming hooked on nicotine and ensuring the next generation grows up smoke and vape free.’
Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced that 11 projects exploring the potential to use AI, wearable technology and virtual reality to support people with substance issues could be rolled out if they prove to be successful.
The projects include a chest-worn sensor that monitors breathing and sends an alert to emergency services and naloxone carriers if an overdose is detected, and the use of virtual reality to help people overcome triggers for cocaine use. Around £12m in funding has been provided through the Addiction Healthcare Goals Programme, which is run by the Office for Life Sciences.
‘From wearable technology to AI-powered tools, these innovative projects highlight the power of collaboration in delivering life-saving treatments,’ said science minister Lord Vallance. ‘By investing in these partnerships, we are tackling addiction head-on and ensuring that cutting-edge science reaches those who need it most, improving public health across the UK.’
Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England report for 2023 available here