The percentages remain alarmingly high 16 year old teenagers in Greece that they consume substances, alcohol, they smoke or engage in behaviors such as games of chance and the excessive use of electronic games and social mediaaccording to the findings of the annual pan-European research ESPAD for 2024.

The investigation ESPADheld in 37 countries in collaboration with EU Drugs Agency (EUDA)is implemented in Greece by “Kostas Stefanis” University Research Institute of Mental Health, Neurosciences and Precision Medicine (EPIPSY). 2024 is the 7th consecutive four-year event in our country.

As recorded, rates in Greece exceed the European average in key indicators such as the use of cannabis, alcohol consumption, smoking (traditional and electronic cigarettes), but also gambling. An exception is drunkenness and possible gambling addiction, where Greece is close to the European average.

A significant increase is recorded over time in the usage indicators substancesexcessive consumption alcohol, smoking and dealing with electronic games, especially in girls. At the same time, the problems related to the frequent use of social media are increasing.

Substance use

About 13% of 16-year-olds in Greece have tried at least one illegal substance, with cannabis dominating (11%). 34% consider access to cannabis “easy”, while 6.2% report very recent use. Worryingly, 2% tried substances before the age of 13. In addition, 4.8% have used other illegal substances.

The percentage of teenagers who have used illegal substances increased significantly in 2024 (13%) compared to 2019 (9.4%), reaching the highest level in the last 25 years.

Inhalable substances

One in nine (11%) 16-year-olds in Greece have used inhalants (such as glue, gasoline, spray) to change their mood. Although this percentage is the lowest in the last 12 years, it remains higher than the European average (7.5%).

Psychoactive drugs

15% of adolescents have made non-medical use of prescription psychoactive drugs, with 10% involving opioids and 7.8% tranquilizers/hypnotics. 26% consider it easy to access them. The rate of non-medical use of sedatives/hypnotics increased significantly in 2024 (7.8%) compared to 2019 (3.5%).

Overall, Greece is close to the European average (14%) in terms of non-medical use of psychoactive drugs among 16-year-olds.

Alcohol consumption

The vast majority (92%) of 16-year-olds consider it easy to access alcohol, while 86% have consumed at least one drink. 59% report alcohol consumption in the past month, 37% binge drinking (5+ drinks on one occasion) and 13% drunkenness.

Despite a decrease in overall alcohol consumption since 2015, rates of binge drinking and drunkenness increased in 2024. These rates are higher than the European average.

Smoking

More than half (54%) of 16-year-olds have smoked traditional and/or electronic/vape cigarettes. 36% smoked in the last month and 19% daily. 65% consider easy access to traditional cigarettes and 77% to electronic/vape. These percentages increased significantly compared to 2019 and exceed the European average (48%).

Games of chance

About 36% of teenagers said they played/bet money on gambling in the last year, mainly in land-based shops (92%) and online platforms (72%). 7% have a possible gambling addiction. The percentage of teenagers involved in gambling increased compared to 2019 and is significantly higher than the European average (22%).

Electronic games

71% of 16-year-olds played video games in the past month, with 9.2% playing an average of more than 4 hours daily on school days. 21% state that they face problems due to the frequency of employment, with the phenomenon being stronger among boys. The rate of engagement with electronic games has increased significantly since 2019, especially among girls, but remains below the European average.

Social media

Almost half (48%) of 16-year-olds in Greece report problems related to the frequency of social media use. This percentage has increased significantly in the last decade. This trend is also observed in the rest of the European countries participating in ESPAD, with similar percentages (47% in 2024).