Drink, drugs and smoking losing appeal

Teenagers are increasingly turning their back on drink, drugs and smoking. New figures reveal that the number of young people indulging in the vices dropped in 2001, continuing a downward trend over the past seven years.

Teenagers are turning their backs on alcohol and drugs, with a new survey for the NHS revealing a change in attitude among young people.

The number of 11 to 15-year-olds smoking, drinking and taking drugs fell last year - and the numbers show a dramatic decline in the past decade.

Those who had smoked at least once dropped from 44 per cent in 2001 to 27 per cent in 2010, while 18 per cent had tried drugs at least once, down from 29 per cent in 2001, according to a survey of over 7000 pupils.

Meanwhile, the proportion drinking alcohol in the week before the study had fallen from a peak of 26 per cent in 2001 to 13 per cent last year.

Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, which carried out the study, said: "Our figures point to an increasingly intolerant attitude among young people in today's society when it comes to the use of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.

"As well as a reduction in the percentage who say they partake in these behaviours, a shrinking number think that drinking and drunkenness is acceptable among their peers."

In addition, 11 per cent thought it was okay to get drunk once a week, down from 20 per cent in 2003.