Irish Youth Smoke Less but Vape More Compared to EU Peers

A recent global report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revealed that 15-year-olds in Ireland have the lowest smoking rates in the European Union (EU) at just 7%. However, the same report also found that Ireland ranks fourth highest in the EU for regular vaping among young people.

Encouraging Health Trends for Irish Youth

The OECD’s Health at a Glance report, which analyzed health trends across EU countries, highlighted several positive findings for the health of young people in Ireland:

Ireland has the lowest rate of smoking among 15-year-olds in the EU at 7%
Ireland has one of the lowest rates of cannabis smoking among 15-year-olds at 4%
The proportion of 15-year-olds reporting repeated drunkenness is among the lowest in the EU at 13%
Ireland is in the top five EU countries for the proportion of 15-year-olds meeting recommended physical activity levels
Ireland is one of only eight countries that achieved an HPV vaccination rate for boys of more than 60% in 2023

Minister for Public Health Colm Burke praised these “encouraging trends,” particularly among younger age groups, stating that Ireland has long been a world leader in tackling smoking rates and continues to work towards the vision of a tobacco-free Ireland.

Read more: Ireland Set to Become First EU Country to Raise Minimum Age for Tobacco Sales to 21

Areas for Improvement

Despite the positive findings, the report also highlighted some areas of concern for the health of Irish youth:

Almost half (47%) of 15-year-olds report that they eat neither fruit nor vegetables daily, although this is below the EU average of 56%
The rate of overweight or obesity among 15-year-olds is 20%, only slightly lower than the EU average of 21%
The rate of consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks among this age group is 8%, which is lower than the EU average of 14% but still a concern

The report cited the impact of Ireland’s Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax, introduced in 2018, which has led to an estimated reduction in sugar intake from carbonated soft drinks from 5kg per person in 2018 to less than 4kg in 2022. This demonstrates the potential effectiveness of targeted public health policies in improving health outcomes.

Read more: Northern Ireland Postpones Single-Use Vape Ban by Two Months

Rising Vaping Rates a Concern

One notable area of concern highlighted in the report is the rising rates of vaping among young people in Ireland. While the report suggests that vaping may be a possible smoking cessation tool, it also warns that it may lead to tobacco smoking, especially among youth.

Ireland has the fourth highest proportion of young people who vape regularly in the EU. Over 10% of 15-24 year olds and over 5% of all adults in Ireland said they use vapes regularly, according to 2022 data, compared to an EU average of 2.7% and 2.1% respectively.

This trend underscores the need for continued efforts to educate young people about the potential risks of vaping and to implement policies that discourage uptake, particularly among youth.

Conclusion

While the OECD report highlights many positive trends in the health of young people in Ireland, particularly in relation to smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity, it also identifies areas for continued focus and improvement. The rising rates of vaping among Irish youth are a particular concern and will require targeted interventions to address.

As Minister Burke noted, Ireland has made significant progress in reducing smoking rates and alcohol-related harm, but there is still work to be done to achieve the vision of a tobacco-free Ireland and to protect the health of future generations.

Author
Recent Posts

Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.