Behaviours affecting current and future health—tobacco use
Tobacco use—both smoked and smokeless—during adolescence increases the risk of persistent nicotine addiction, leading to regular and sustained tobacco use in adulthood. Tobacco use remains one of the largest contributors to noncommunicable diseases and to early mortality among adults.
Smoked tobacco prevalence. Globally, one in every 10 girls aged 13–15 years and one in every 5 boys aged 13-15 years use tobacco.35 However, there are areas where tobacco use is substantially more common. In 12 of the 158 countries (where data are available in the GYTS), as many as one of every three younger adolescents currently smokes cigarettes. Smoking rates are generally highest in the Europe and Western Pacific regions. Cigarettes are not the only form of smoked tobacco used, however. In some countries—for example, Lebanon—smoking a shisha, or water pipe, is more common than cigarette smoking.
In almost all of these countries, boys are more likely to smoke tobacco than girls. In Greenland, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Palau and Papua New Guinea, the prevalence of tobacco smoking is very high, ranging from 40% to 60%.
In nearly all of the 35 countries with STEPS data on older adolescents, more young men than young women smoke cigarettes. Among these older adolescents cigarette smoking was least common in the Africa Region and most common in the Western Pacific Region.
Trends. There is good news: As among adults in high income countries,36 there have been significant declines in tobacco use among younger adolescents in most high income countries and in some middle and low income countries as well. In fact, the percentage of adolescents who have ever tried tobacco has dropped by more than half in several countries over the past decade.
In a few European countries, however, such as Latvia, the percentage of 15-year-old girls who have tried tobacco appears to be increasing. Most of the high income countries where tobacco use is increasing among younger adolescents also show increases among adults.
Prevalence of tobacco use (HBSC)Smokeless tobacco appears to be less commonly used, but many countries do not ask about it. Where it is asked as part of the GYTS, boys consistently report more use than girls. The highest rates among youth ages 13–15 years were reported in the Marshall Islands (16% of boys and 7% of girls) and India (15% of boys and 5% of girls).
Prevalence of tobacco use (GYTS)
I just wanted to test it out, then it became a habit.
female, 15-17, France
I think I am physically and mentally healthy, but I feel emotional pain as a result of many different things that have happened over time.
female, 18-19, Mexico
I haven’t learned about what I should and shouldn’t eat.
female, 18-19, Mexico
Adolescents on bad habits: Sometimes laziness and inactivity, I'm not doing sports, and excessive eating of sweets and harmful foods and soft drinks and fruit after midnight.
female, 15-17, Saudi Arabia
That cigarettes, alcohol and drugs not be in style anymore.
female, 15-17, France
Adolescents on definition of health: To have the ability to do things well, without any sort of discomfort or pain. To ensure a comfortable future, without any complications like diabetes or any sort of cardiac disease, etc., caused by what was done in the past.
female, 18-19, Mexico
Sometimes it's just hard to pass up on something that tastes so good even if it is bad for your body. I have to remind myself that part of the reason it does taste so good is because of the added artificial flavouring or excess sugar content.
female, 18-19, United States of America
I love sweets, and I haven’t found a balance between normal and excessive consumption.
female, 18-19. Venezuela
Adolescents on definition of health: To find myself comfortable with body, and to feel nothing that could make me feel bad about or within myself.
female, 18-19, Spain
I love drinking and partying, I do it quite often. I also smoke quite often.
male, 18-19, France
Adolescent on bad habits: To party and escape your daily troubles!
male, 15-17, France
I feel stress over sexual issues - no one wants to give me information, and I also get anxious because I feel that I am doing something wrong.
male, 15-17, Mexico
Adolescents on what should be done to improve their health: Raising awareness about sexual identities and orientation.
trans, 12-14, Argentina
Give us real information about our rights and about sexual health. Also information about nutrition and healthy behaviours.
male, 15-17, Mexico
Each individual has his or her own life philosophy. I have my own life philosophy: Enjoy the present moment and take each day at a time. Enjoy the moments of youth that are supposed to be the greatest of our existence. It is the age of excess.
male, 18-19, France
To be in good health not only means taking care of your body (through participating in sports, eating well, etc.) or just the absence of illness; it also equally involves feeling good in your own skin, being happy with your choices in life and doing what you love.
female, 15-17 Canada
Adolescents on bad habits: it’s a quicker and easier way to satisfy my hunger. I like to eat.
female, 12-14, Peru
When I became sexually active I never wore a condom, and I didn’t know how to use one.
male, 18-19. Mexico
It’s basically a thing you do, in part because of the social aspect of these activities, in part, and this especially counts for the cigarettes, as a stress reliever.
male, 18-19, Denmark
Physically I am in good health, but mentally only partially because several obstacles find their way along my path, affecting my mental health, and I have to overcome them.
female, 15-17, Canada
