Study: U.S. Teens in Middle of Pack Regarding Alcohol, Tobacco Use

Study: U.S. Teens in Middle of Pack Regarding Alcohol, Tobacco Use
December 10, 2009

Research Summary

Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use are serious problems in the U.S., but American teens are far from world leaders when it comes to smoking and drinking, the New York Times reported Dec. 8.

A new report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that 20 percent of U.S. 15-year-olds reported having been drunk at least twice in their lives, one of the lowest rates in the developed world. By contrast, the rate was 56 percent for girls in Denmark and 59 percent for Danish boys.

In the U.K., which has struggled to contain an explosion in youth drinking in recent years, the rates were higher for 15-year-old girls (50 percent) than boys of the same age (44 percent).

The U.S. also had the lowest smoking rate among 15-year-olds in the developed world, according to the OECD, with 9 percent of girls and 7 percent of boys reporting that they were regular smokers. In Austria, the comparative rates were 30 percent for girls and 24 percent for boys.

However, U.S. teens were the most obese in the developed world, the study found.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Barry McMillen, MA, LADC on 11 Dec 09 09:44 AM EST

I would have to see the actual report and supporting data before I accepted those figures. If one takes into account what we spend, or don't spend on tobacco treatment and education, the plight of the 15 year-old population is a little thin to be making such broad statemnets.

Posted by Editor @Join Together on 11 Dec 09 09:55 AM EST

FYI the link to the OECD in the above summary goes directly to the original report findings.

Posted by David B. Coleman on 11 Dec 09 10:41 AM EST

Interesting, but rather moot. Statistics rise and fall and they provide fodder for discussion that is often worthwhile; yet the real issue is that, regardless of the numbers, unless they are zero, there is a problem. These issues (smoking, drinking and using drugs by teens world-wide) simply indicate that these are problems that attack humans everywhere. These issues do not differentiate among classes, ethinic groups or religious affiliations of the youth, they still attack them. And it is to the shame of us adults worldwide that the youth of the world are motivated to enter into these problem areas of life. When laws become watered down and weakened concerning alcohol, cigarettes, etc., it is as if society is telling our youth, "Go ahead and see for yourself what it is like" without letting them know what the aweful ramifications will be for them. It is past time that the adults of the world step up and start acting (collectively) like responsible adults and making access to these items as difficult obtain as possible for the youth of our world.

Posted by JasonS on 11 Dec 09 01:02 PM EST

I looked briefly at the study and at the bottom it stated that these numbers were based upon self-reports. For all of those of us that work in the addiction field know, self-report is usually not very reliable. Just my 2cents worth.

Posted by George in Westwood on 12 Dec 09 12:21 AM EST

And there are some people who advocate lowering the age for alcohol consumption????

Posted by John Boroback on 14 Dec 09 10:18 AM EST

In countries were it is legal to drink at younger ages it makes sense that the U.S. would not compare. I am curious more of the drinking habits among the "developed world" of 19 and 20 year olds. I imagine that the U.S. would be among the highest as that is when many in the U.S. go 'all out' with their drinking.

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