Irish teen drinking at a low in European table for alcohol use

Ireland is now near the bottom of the European table for cigarette and alcohol use among Irish teenage pupils thanks to a continuing reduction in the consumption of both substances.

However, the school survey of 15- to 16-year-olds in 35 countries found that Ireland is near the top for use of ecstasy, cocaine, new psychoactive drugs, and inhalants.

The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) said that while Irish school kids were drinking less often, they were still among the heaviest drinkers when they did take alcohol.