We have detected that you are using Internet Explorer to visit this website. Internet Explorer is now being phased out by Microsoft. As a result, NHS Digital no longer supports any version of Internet Explorer for our web-based products, as it involves considerable extra effort and expense, which cannot be justified from public funds. Some features on this site will not work. You should use a modern browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. If you have difficulty installing or accessing a different browser, contact your IT support team.
Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England - 2006-2008, Findings by region
National statistics- Publication Date:
- 27 Jan 2010
- Geographic Coverage:
- England
- Geographical Granularity:
- Regions, Country, Government Office Regions
- Date Range:
- 01 Jan 2006 to 31 Dec 2008
Summary
Please note that a slightly amended version of Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England: Findings by region, 2006 to 2008, has been made available on this page on 28 January 2010.
This was in order to correct the units of Table 5 on page 8 of this report. The units were incorrectly labelled as '%' and have been revised to 'Units of alcohol'.
The NHS IC and the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) apologises for any inconvenience caused.
The survey of smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England (SDD) has been carried out annually by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) since 2000. It is commissioned by the NHS Information Centre, with support from the Home Office; the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) also has an interest in the statistics.
This note presents key survey findings by Government Office Region, for secondary school pupils in years 7 to 11 (mostly aged 11 to 15). Results are based on data from the three most recent survey years, 2006 to 2008, combined and weighted to be regionally representative.
Highlights
In summary, for pupils aged 11 to 15 in England:
- The percentage of pupils who have ever smoked varies by region from 31 per cent in London to 42 per cent in the North East.
- The percentage of pupils who are regular smokers (usually smoking at least one cigarette per week), varies by region from 5 per cent in London to 10 per cent in the North East.
- In London, 39 per cent of pupils have ever had an alcoholic drink; in other regions this percentage varies between 51 per cent in the East Midlands to 63 per cent in the North East.
- The proportion of pupils who have taken drugs in the last year varies from 15 per cent in the South West to 20 per cent in the North West.
- The most commonly taken drug in this age group is cannabis. The prevalence of cannabis use in the last year varies from 8 per cent in the North East to 12 per cent in the North West.
Last edited: 8 February 2022 1:09 pm