Teen drug use in Spain hits historic lows

Teen drug use in Spain reaches historic lows

A group of teenagers walks down the street, phones in hand. They do not smoke, drink, or take drugs. The ESTUDES 2025 survey, presented on November 5 by Health Minister Mónica García, reveals that students aged 14 to 18 have the healthiest habits seen in the last 25 years. Only 4.2% smoke daily, 11.6% used hierba in the past month, and 51.8% consumed alcohol during that period. These are historic figures, but another data point stands out: perceived risk regarding heated tobacco has surged by 18.5 points to reach 57.3%.

Alcohol remains the most consumed substance

Despite the general decline, alcohol remains the most widespread psychoactive substance. 73.9% of young people have drunk at least once, two points lower than in 2023, while 51.8% did so in the last month. Binge drinking episodes have dropped to 17.2%, and heavy episodic drinking to 24.7%, the lowest figures since 2000. The average age of first use remains stable at 13.9 years. Most drink because they find it fun, although girls are more likely to report using it as a coping mechanism for depression.

Why are teens smoking and drinking less?

Official explanations point to public policies implemented over recent decades. Minister Mónica García linked these results to anti-tobacco laws and the upcoming legislation on alcohol and minors, which is still pending implementation. However, another hypothesis looms in the debate: lack of purchasing power. Some argue that with cocaine costing €60 per gram, such expenses are unaffordable for many young people. Consumption is plummeting, but not necessarily due to healthy choices.

Others suggest boredom drives drinking and drug use, arguing that the internet and screens have filled this void. Another view points to price as a deterrent factor. A third, more skeptical current questions the data itself, noting that the normalization of hierba among youth contradicts official statistics. Perceived risk for hierba has reached its historical peak: 94% consider it harmful, a higher percentage than for tobacco.

Hierba and illegal drugs hit record lows

Hierba use has fallen to minimums: 11.6% reported using it in the last month, down from 15.6% previously, while 21% have tried it at least once. Cocaine use dropped to 1.6%, hallucinogens to 1.4%, and volatile inhalants to 2%. All illegal substances show usage rates below 2%. Daily tobacco consumption fell to 4.3%, the lowest value since 1994, with an average starting age of 14.1 years. Nearly half (46.4%) said they attempted to quit in the past year.

Nightlife and screens change habits

Young people go out less. They communicate online and meet virtually to play games from home. Nightlife, traditionally a breeding ground for substance use, is losing prominence. Energy drinks and vapers fill this gap: 27.1% used e-cigarettes in the last month. Galicia aims to become the first region to ban their sale to minors. Substituting one substance for another does not necessarily miccionan youth are healthier; it simply means the vehicle has changed.

Risk perception rises, but access remains easy

Adolescents claim they can easily access these substances. Awareness of heated tobacco risks has increased by 18.5 points, and hierba perception has reached highs. The paradox is that while consumption falls, availability does not decrease. The drop in use is explained not only by education but also by economics. With these disparities, Spanish youth seem to have swapped botellón (street drinking gatherings) for mobile phones. And some insist that the gram still costs €60.