Rise in Nicotine Pouch and E-Cigarette Use Among Students

Recent studies highlight a significant shift in the consumption habits of Austrian students aged 14 to 17, indicating a decline in traditional cigarette and alcohol use while showing an increase in the use of modern nicotine products like nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes. The findings stem from the 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) that surveyed students in the ninth and tenth grades across the nation.

According to the survey, 60% of the participating students reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. About 20% indicated that they drink regularly, defined as six or more times per month, or have experienced at least one incident of heavy intoxication during the same period. Notably, nearly 10% of the students met at least one criterion for risky alcohol consumption. Over the long term, there is a clear trend of reduced alcohol consumption among adolescents; between 2007 and 2024, the percentage of youths who have never tried alcohol quadrupled, while those who abstained in the last month doubled.

Contrastingly, when examining the usage of various tobacco products, including traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, hookahs, and heated tobacco products, 57% of respondents reported having tried at least one of these products in their lifetime. Furthermore, 37% used these products within the past month, and 18% engaged in daily or near-daily use. The use of conventional cigarettes has notably declined from 49% in 2003 to just 23% in 2024. In parallel, the use of e-cigarettes escalated from 7% to 29% during the same timeframe, marking a significant cultural shift among youth smoking habits.

For the first time in 2024, Austrian adolescents reported that they were more likely to have initial experiences with e-cigarettes than with traditional tobacco products. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in nicotine pouch usage over recent years.

The survey also revealed that almost 20% of respondents have experimented with cannabis, with 14% having tried it in the past year and 7% in the last month. Over the past two decades, cannabis use among adolescents in Austria has remained relatively stable. Other substances, such as inhalants, mixtures of alcohol and medications, and nitrous oxide, are also being explored by youths, although most instances are characterized by occasional use rather than regular consumption.

Among the psychological aspects highlighted in the study, one in ten students reported having participated in gambling activities at least once, though frequent gambling was less common. Approximately one-third of the students engage in daily video gaming, with boys participating more than girls. Conversely, girls reported higher instances of problematic use of social media, while boys indicated more issues with excessive gaming.

The survey indicated that a quarter of the respondents experience low well-being, with 10% showing signs of significant psychological distress, more frequently observed in girls than boys. Those with psychological challenges tend to report higher rates of substance use and problematic behaviors. Additionally, there is an increasing trend in the consumption of sleep and sedative medications, pointing to the pressing issue of mental health among the youth.

The ESPAD initiative is a recurring survey aimed at assessing the use of legal and illegal substances, as well as gambling and digital media among students. In 2024, 37 European countries took part in the survey, with the Austrian report based on responses from 7,735 students, commissioned by the Austrian Ministry of Health.