Dutch teenagers are drinking and smoking less but they are getting fatter, according to figures published on Wednesday by central statistics agency CBS in its annual youth monitor.

The number of teens who drink alcohol has dropped from 85% in 2003 to 79% in 2007. This is ‘probably’ due to the need to show identification when buying alcohol, according to the CBS’s Jan Latten.
The number of youngsters in the 10 to 20 age group who have never smoked has risen from 50% in 1998 to 58% in 2008. ‘Smoking is no longer cool’, says Latten.
Obesity however has increased. One in seven children was too fat in the period 2005 to 2007.