Highlights A combined alcohol control policy showed to be effective in reducing teen drinking. The combination can also tackle socioeconomic inequalities present in teen drinking. Single measures were in general not associated with decreases in teen drinking. Alcohol pricing policy showed to be the most successful single measure.

Tendencias en el consumo de tabaco adolescente en España (2002-2018) Trends in tobacco use among adolescents in Spain (2002-2018

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Background Adolescent alcohol consumption is a major public health concern that should be continuously monitored. This study aims (i) to analyze country-level trends in weekly alcohol consumption, drunkenness and early initiation in alcohol consumption and drunkenness among 15-year-old adolescents from 39 countries and regions across Europe and North America between 2002 and 2014 and (ii) to examine the geographical patterns in adolescent alcohol-related behaviours. Methods The sample was composed of 250 161 adolescents aged 15 from 39 countries and regions from Europe and North America. Survey years were 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014. The alcohol consumption and drunkenness items of the HBSC questionnaire were employed. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression models with robust variance. Results Data show a general decrease in all four alcohol variables between 2002 and 2014 except for some countries. However, there is variability both within a country (depending on the alcohol-related behaviour under study) and across countries (in the beginning and shape of trends). Some countries have not reduced or even increased their levels in some variables. Although some particularities have persisted over time, there are no robust patterns by regions. Conclusions Despite an overall decrease in adolescent alcohol consumption, special attention should be paid to those countries where declines are not present, or despite decreasing, rates are still high. Further research is needed to clarify factors associated with adolescent drinking, to better understand country specificities and to implement effective policies.

The aim of this study was to examine trends in cannabis use among Spanish students 2006-2018 by sex, age, and sex and age combined. Data showed a global decrease both in a lifetime and frequent cannabis use between 2006 and 2018 but four-year comparisons revealed more variability within the specific sex-age groups. No change was found in lifetime use between 2014 and 2018 for all groups. The results emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring of trends in cannabis use and the importance of implementing preventive measures to avoid a change in tendency and to work with high-risk groups, especially 17-18-old boys.