Tobacco smoking, cannabis use, and binge drinking among university students in France (2023)

The objective of this study is to evaluate tobacco smoking, cannabis use, and binge drinking among university students from different curricula in France between 2009 and 2016 and the associated factors. Six repeated cross-sectional studies with self-administered anonymous questionnaires were performed among university students. Data collected included age, gender, curriculum, tobacco smoking, cannabis use, and binge drinking over the previous 12 months. From 2009 to 2016, 4755 students filled out the questionnaire. Mean age of students was 20.1 years (standard deviation = 1.8) and sex-ratio (M:F) was 0.54. During the study period, 21.4% of university students were tobacco smokers, 28.4% were cannabis users and 54.6% were binge drinkers. The logistic regression showed no significant change for tobacco smoking for cannabis use during the period and a significant decrease for binge drinking only in 2016. Male gender, living in rented accommodation and job holder status were positively associated and grant holder status was negatively associated with these consumptions. Students from the engineering schools’ and healthcare group were found more at risk of binge drinking, compared to the mixed discipline university group. Binge drinking remains a concern among university students in France. This trend could be deserved to be confirmed in a few years. Our results also showed differences within those risks according to curriculum and socio-demographic characteristics, which could lead to targeted prevention.