By Timothy S. Donahue

Top takeaways:

• Teen smoking and drinking in Ireland have fallen to record lows, with daily smoking rates down to just 2%.
• E-cigarette use among teens is rising, with one-third of students reporting they have tried vaping.
• Experts are concerned that some adolescents who vape never smoked, raising questions about vaping’s role in nicotine initiation.

Teenage smoking and alcohol use in Ireland have dropped to their lowest levels in three decades, according to new findings from the 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD). But while traditional smoking is declining, e-cigarette use and adolescent gambling are becoming more prevalent.

The survey, conducted among 15- to 16-year-olds across Europe, showed that just 12% of Irish students identified as current smokers, and only 2% reported smoking daily—both record lows since Ireland began participating in ESPAD 30 years ago. Cannabis use also declined, falling from 19% in 2019 to 12% in 2024.

However, e-cigarette use has gained traction. Nearly one in three students (32%) reported having tried vaping, and 7% said they use e-cigarettes daily. Notably, 76% of those who had vaped said they had never smoked a traditional cigarette.

“While the downward trend is encouraging, the data also reveals the continuing challenge: young people are still being drawn into tobacco and nicotine use—be it cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or emerging nicotine products,” said Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy. “We must act decisively to break this cycle.”

The increase in vaping may be partially explained by the decline in smoking. Some researchers suggest that e-cigarettes could be displacing cigarette use among teens who may have otherwise smoked if vapes were not available. But others warn that vaping may be drawing in new users who might not have considered nicotine products at all.

Gambling participation also increased slightly, with more adolescents reporting engagement in betting and online games of chance. Officials called for continued monitoring and targeted education strategies.

Irish health authorities said they will use the data to inform policy, prevention, and intervention programs, with a focus on reducing access to addictive substances and promoting healthier choices for young people.

The full ESPAD Ireland 2024 report is expected to guide updates to the national drug and alcohol strategies in the coming year.