
Noored tarvitavad vähem kanepit, kuid üha rohkem e-sigarette
Young people use less cannabis but more e-cigarettes
Tervise Arengu Instituudi (TAI) uuring näitab, et noorte uimastite tarvitamine on vähenenud. Kuid e-sigarettide tarvitamine tüdrukute seas on kasvanud.
A study by the Institute of Health Development (TAI) shows that drug use among young people has decreased. However, the use of e-cigarettes among girls has increased.
A study by the Institute of Health Development (TAI) showed that 15–16-year-old young people use fewer drugs. Alcohol, traditional cigarettes, and cannabis use has decreased. However, e-cigarettes are more popular among girls.
The use of e-cigarettes has increased. In 2019, 54% of young people used them, in 2024, 55%. Over the past 12 months, 38% of young people used them. In 2019, this figure was 20%. Young people typically try e-cigarettes at the age of 12–14.
TAI senior researcher Sigrid Vorobjov said that e-cigarettes are particularly popular among girls. Every third girl used them in the past month. She believes that social media influences young people's behavior.
Vorobjov also spoke about the role of the tobacco industry. Major tobacco manufacturers offer alternative products marketed as healthier choices. However, these are not healthy, especially for minors.
More and more young people have never used drugs. Cannabis experimentation has dropped to its lowest level in 20 years. 25% of young people have never tried alcohol. In 1999, this figure was only 4%.
The use of different drugs is related. For example, those who use cannabis also consume alcohol and tobacco products. However, overall drug use among young people has declined.
According to Vorobjov, prevention efforts are behind the decline. Young people are learning better self-regulation and coping with stress. This helps them refuse drugs.
The use of cocaine and amphetamines has declined. However, these substances are more common among adults, especially at parties. Cocaine has become cheaper, which may influence young people's behavior.
The study also examined young people's mental health. Every third boy and every second girl has low mental well-being. Depression risk is present in every sixth boy and every fourth girl. Young people with lower mental well-being smoke and use drugs more often.