Press Release - Overall declines seen in tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use, but some teen behaviours still risky A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use all fell between 2004 and 2007, but some results are still concerning, especially for teenagers and young people.
The 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: first results report shows that the proportion of the population aged 14 years or older who smoked daily declined from 17.4% to 16.6% between 2004 and 2007.
‘This is one of the lowest daily smoking rates in the world,’ said AIHW spokesperson Mark Cooper-Stanbury.
Recent cannabis use dropped significantly from 11.3% to 9.1%, and a decline in methamphetamine use, from 3.2% to 2.3%, was also seen.
The survey findings suggest that there has been no increase in the use of crystal methamphetamine—or ‘ice’—in contrast to the general perception.
‘However, since the last survey, the proportion of both men and women reporting recent cocaine use has increased, but more so for men—from 1.3% to 2.2%,’ he said.
The report also raises concerns regarding Australia’s youth.
Around one-quarter of teenagers put themselves at risk of short-term alcohol-related harm at least once a month.
‘The proportion was higher among females (28.3%) than males (24.5%),’ said Mr Cooper-Stanbury.
. . . . . . .
Download Full Report (PDF)
____________________________________________________________________
