Overview

• The ESPAD 2024 survey, involving 113,882 students across 37 European countries, marks 30 years of monitoring adolescent risk behaviors.
• Lifetime alcohol consumption among European adolescents fell from 88% in 1995 to 74% in 2024, while cigarette smoking dropped from 68% to 32%.
• E-cigarette use rose sharply, with current use increasing from 14% in 2019 to 22% in 2024, and girls reporting higher prevalence than boys.
• Problematic social media use escalated from 38% in 2015 to 47% in 2024, with girls consistently showing higher rates across all countries.
• Gaming participation surged, with 80% of adolescents playing in 2024 compared to 47% in 2015, and the increase among girls tripling during this period.