Contrary to popular belief, young people drink and smoke less and less. A trend observed for several years that the results of the EnCLASS survey published this Thursday by the OFDT (French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies) confirm. The organization surveyed more than 9,500 middle and high school students in 2022. Results: their consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and cannabis decreased. For example, 24% of Terminale students drank regularly in 2018, and only 8% will do so in 2022. Furthermore, 21.5% smoked daily six years ago, compared to 8.2 % last year.
Young people are also starting to consume these addictive products later and later. In the study, 43.4% of middle school students say they have experimented with alcohol in 2022, compared to 60% in 2018. Same trend for cannabis: 5.3% of 4th and 3rd year middle school students say they have tried alcohol. have experienced in 2022, compared to 6.7% in 2018. How to explain this downward trend? Although no large-scale study has been carried out to understand the motivations of these young people, specialists are still putting forward some ideas.
Anti-smoking campaign and package of measures
Increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes, introduction of neutral packaging, ban on smoking in certain public places… The government has been working hard to combat smoking for several years. “There is a real political will to change things and it is starting to bear fruit,” analyzes Karine Gallopel-Morvan, university professor at the School of Advanced Studies in Public Health. “Certain measures, such as the neutral package, directly target young people. »
But the drop in cigarette consumption among middle and high school students is also a question of fashion. “There is a decline in the attractiveness of tobacco, which is increasingly perceived as something out of date,” estimates Bernard Basset, doctor specializing in public health and president of the Addictions France association.
Discomfort about loss of consciousness
A change of outlook which would also concern alcohol. “The young people I meet in the field never said that alcohol was a drug, that is much more the case today,” illustrates Guylaine Benech, consultant in the prevention of addictive behavior. And its effects could also explain young people’s lack of attraction to the drink. “The feeling of loss of consciousness bothers more and more young people,” assures Karine Gallopel-Morvan. This can particularly be explained by social networks. They are probably afraid of being filmed and of it being broadcast online. »
According to the president of Addictions France, this generation understands better that alcohol consumption can lead to inappropriate behavior. “The number one date rape drug is alcohol, and more and more young girls and men are becoming aware of it. »
A change in outlook on alcohol
This development comes from young people themselves. “Many people under 30 publish videos on YouTube, testify in the media or write books to say that they had a problem with alcohol,” adds Guylaine Benech. Speech that could trigger a reaction. “Many young people also realize that they have suffered the alcohol problems of someone close to them,” believes the consultant. This does not automatically mean that they will drink less, but it could be the case. »
It must be said that the subject is getting more attention. We have seen this in recent months with the media coverage of Dry January, but also with the forum of 48 addictologists asking the government to support the month of January without alcohol. “With the State doing nothing on this subject, there is a rise in the power of civil society which is bearing more and more fruit,” underlines Bernard Basset. A speech by professionals and associations which also aims to provide information on the health risks of alcohol, in particular the link between cancer and alcohol. An argument which would also affect this drop in consumption.
A change in parental behavior
To explain this decline, we can also look to previous generations. “Young people start drinking or smoking because adults do it,” according to Karine Gallopel-Morvan. From the moment it drops in the general population, it drops among young people. » And the figures show it: the number of smokers has no longer increased, or even fallen, for several years in France, and alcohol consumption is also tending to decrease.
“Today’s parents are no longer yesterday’s parents,” continues Guylaine Benech. They drank alcohol when they were teenagers and know the risks from having taken them themselves. » According to her, this new generation of parents would discuss the subject more with their teenagers.
Consumption still very high
“Even if we observe a drop, the figures remain very high”, however tempers Guylaine Benech. For example: the number of high school students having had a significant occasional alcohol consumption (API) – in other words, a binge – during the last month. It has certainly decreased (from 43.2% in 2018 to 34.5% in 2022), but remains significant. “There is nothing to rejoice about”
Other figures also darken the picture: those of vaping. If in 2018, 16.6% of high school students had vaped in the last month, there will be 24.2% in 2022. “There is perhaps a transfer from tobacco to vaping, which is seen as more modern and fun , supposes Karine Gallopel-Morvan. This is a worrying phenomenon, with nicotine puffs, beads and sachets for which we do not have very reliable indicators. » A downward trend therefore. But to put it into perspective.