Young Dutch adults more likely to smoke, drink and use cannabis

Photo: Anne Lakeman

Over one third of young adults in the Netherlands smoke regularly and they are also more likely to use marijuana and drink too much than the over 25s, according to new research by national statistics office CBS.

The figures, which date from 2014 and 2015, show that 36% of 18 to 25-year-olds smoke, compared with one in four older adults. Some 14% drink too much, compared with 9% of the over-25s and nearly one in four had used cannabis in the previous 12 months. Among older adults, just 5% smoke weed.

Youngsters are also more likely to ‘abuse’ all three. Some 5% say they smoke, drink and use cannabis while just 1% of older adults do so.

Between 2001 and 2013, the number of under-26s who smoked had fallen from 42% to 32%. The CBS said the increase in 2015 could be due to changes in the way statistics are calculated.

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