NEWS
2010 - 07 - 19 Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs and Multiple Consumption among young people in secondary education in Luxemburg
In May 2010, the Centre for Health Studies submitted a report to the Health Minister. This was drawn up with the support of the Health Department, the Centre for Prevention of Substance Abuse, and the Ministry of National Education, and covers lifestyle habits among young people in secondary education in Luxembourg in the matters of tobacco, alcohol and drug use.
This national report was drawn from the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) report carried out in 2006 in educational establishments, under the ægis of the European bureau of the World Health Organisation.
The analysis covered 7076 young people divided among 32 institutions, between 12 and 18 years of age.
This study demonstrates not only that experimentation forms an integral part of adolescence, but also that the difference between girls and boys has disappeared, at least as far as smoking is concerned. On the other hand, for alcohol and drugs, gender differences remain.
The age at which the earliest experimentation takes place is a determining factor for regular future consumption.
The study also underlines the importance of the quality of the relationships between young people and adults, in preventing these risky consumption patterns.
Given the risks to health that young people encounter in the short, medium and long term, this study provides useful information in developing substance abuse prevention policies in Luxemburg, and enables more precise targeting of certain risks among this specific population.
Contact: Dr Sophie Couffignal