Teens drink & smoke less but struggle with health

TEENS in Ireland are smoking and drinking less than youngsters in 1998 but are struggling more with their mental health.

- BY SEAN MURPHY

More than 8,000 pupils from 191 schools, including fifth and sixth class in primary and up to fifth year in secondary, took part in research.

The report, titled Trends in Health Behaviours, Outcomes and Contexts: 1998-2022, has been conducted regularly since the late 1990s.

It found a significant increase in the number of children who reported feeling low once a week or more over the previous six months.