Children ‘healthier than 20 years ago’

Irish children are smoking less, drinking less and are healthier than they were 20 years ago.

According to the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Ireland Trends Report 1998-2014’ (HBSC) report, the number of children aged between 10 and 17 who are drinking and smoking has plummetted.

The survey found that, in 2014, 8% of Irish children said they were smoking compared to 23% in 1998. This is a further decrease since 2010 when the figure was 12%. Some 21% of 10- to 17-year-olds reported that they had ever been drunk compared to 33% in 1998; while 8% reported that they had used cannabis in the last year compared to 12% in 1998.