Trends in drinking, smoking and illicit drug use among 15 and 16 year olds in the UK (1995-2003) (2005)

This paper describes the results of drinking, smoking and illicit drug use among a representative sample of 2,032 UK school students aged 15 and 16 years in a cross-sectional, single-phase survey based on a stratified cluster sample of 77 UK secondary schools between March and July 2003. These findings are compared with those of two earlier surveys conducted in 1995 and 1999. Pupils completed a 380-item standardized questionnaire under examination conditions. Over 90% had consumed alcohol at some time and 75% had experienced being drunk; almost 30% had smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days and almost 40% had tried illicit drugs at some time, mainly cannabis. Comparison with two previous surveys suggests that binge drinking among girls had risen and illicit drug use had fallen between 1995 and 1999 and that there was no further change in 2003. For boys, there was a significant drop in the variable cigarette smoking in the past 30 days between 1999 and 2003. There were no statistically significant changes in frequency of alcohol consumption and experience of intoxication between 1995 and 2003. The statistically significant increase in binge drinking among girls contrasts with the stability of the other variables considered over the 8 years under consideration. Heavy or binge drinking and illicit drug use amongst teenagers are clearly still matters for real concern. The increase in risky drinking among girls requires special attention. Even so, the continued tobacco use of some teenagers remains the major risk to health. It is concluded that past strategies to curb potentially problematic use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs have met with only limited success. Health promotion is clearly not enough to reduce the risks associated with legal and illicit drugs by young people. Innovative harm minimization measures should be adopted and evaluated. (Review' s abstract)