Third of young people drunk within past month
One in three Irish teens as young as 15 years admitted to being “really drunk” during the past month, an international survey found today.
Half of the same group already drink alcohol regularly, the study of 13,700 Irish schoolchildren in 215 schools said.
The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) research quizzed pupils aged nine to 18 years in 40 countries worldwide.
The figures on alcohol consumption among teenagers have not improved from the previous survey carried out in 2002, researchers said.
Only 15% of Irish pupils currently smoke, a 4% drop since 2002.
There was a strong increase in reported seatbelt usage in 2006 (76% of boys and 83% of girls) compared to 2002 (57% of boys and 65% of girls).
The survey was conducted last year by researchers at the Health Promotion Research Centre at NUI Galway and is part of an overall World Health Organisation project.
On drug use, 12% of pupils reported using cannabis in the last year and some of these respondents were as young as 10 years of age.
Launching the findings, Health Promotion Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher welcomed the continuing drop in smoking among young people as well as the increase in seat-belt use.
But he said he was worried about findings that half of children aged 15-17 years old report they have consumed alcohol in the preceding month.
“This continues to be a cause for concern. I intend to examine what measures are required to try to address this continuing problem in our society.”
Data was collected from nine year-old children in 3rd and 4th class for the first time this year, at the request of the Office of the Minister for Children.
The survey also showed a 13% decline in the number of children who have never smoked, to 36 per cent in 2006.
The Office of Tobacco Control said the results on smoking were positive but added it would not allow itself to become complacent.
OTC chief executive Eamonn Rossi said: “Our own research has confirmed that initiation into smoking is largely a childhood phenomenon.
“More than three quarters of all smokers in Ireland started to smoke before they reached the age of 18.
“It is critical that we do everything possible to stop children and young people from starting smoking in the first place and to ensure this number is not reached.
“Addressing initiation into smoking among children is clearly a high priority for us all”.
Mr Rossi welcomed recent initiatives such as the removal of ten packs and candy cigarettes but said that the momentum for change needs to be maintained.
Overall, the vast majority of those surveyed in the project said they were happy with their lives and were in good health.
A total of 14% of children said that they never have breakfast during weekdays and 12% admitted they are trying to lose weight.
In personal hygiene, 63% of children said they brush their teeth more than once a day – 72% of girls and 54% of boys.
In other survey topics, bullying was more frequent among 10-11 year old children than among teens.
A total of 29% of boys reported that they have taken part in bullying others compared to 14% of girls.
Compared with a similar study in 2002, the percentage of children eating sweets and soft drinks has fallen and vegetable consumption is up.
The HBSC survey took place in 40 participating countries and regions. This is the third time that Ireland has taken part.
The study was undertaken on behalf of the Department of Health and Children by the Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway.
Pat the Cope Gallagher, Minister for Health Promotion & Food Safety, responds to HBSC survey.
