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Recent national public health surveys in both Spain and the United Kingdom indicate a broad decline in smoking and alcohol consumption among adolescents, with drug use either stabilising or falling modestly. In Spain, this is documented in the Encuesta sobre Uso de Drogas en Enseñanzas Secundarias (ESTUDES), which surveys young people aged 14 to 18. The United Kingdom gathers comparable data through Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England, conducted by NHS Digital among pupils aged 11 to 15. While the age ranges differ, both datasets show similar downward trajectories over the last two decades, although the UK has seen a notable rise in adolescent vaping, which complicates interpretation of the decline in cigarette smoking. Tobacco Use Among Adolescents Declining Cigarette Smoking, Rising Concerns About Vaping Spain’s ESTUDES survey shows a clear reduction in daily cigarette smoking among adolescents. In the late 1990s, daily smoking among Spanish teenagers exceeded 20%. Recent survey results show the figure has fallen to below 10%, reflecting broad changes in attitudes toward smoking, stricter regulation, and increased health awareness. The decline has been steady rather than sudden, suggesting sustained public health messaging and legislative controls have shaped behaviour over time. In the United Kingdom, traditional cigarette smoking among adolescents has also reached historic lows. NHS Digital reports that regular smoking among pupils aged 11 to 15 has fallen to around 1–2%, a dramatic reduction compared with the early 2000s. However, the drop in smoking has occurred alongside a rise in the use of vaping devices. Disposable vapes, often flavoured and low-cost, have become popular among teenagers. The UK Government has acknowledged this shift and is currently considering legislation to restrict or ban disposable vapes. Spain is also evaluating tighter regulation of vape sales and marketing. Public health organisations in both countries describe vaping as a developing concern requiring targeted intervention to prevent long-term nicotine dependency. Alcohol Consumption Patterns Lower Frequency of Use but Persistent Binge Drinking Risks Alcohol consumption among teenagers has also fallen in both countries. In Spain, where moderate alcohol consumption forms part of many social and family occasions, the decline reflects increasing awareness of health impacts and targeted campaigns against binge drinking. The ESTUDES data shows fewer adolescents report drinking every weekend or in large quantities, although occasional heavy drinking still takes place within a minority of young people. In the United Kingdom, the proportion of adolescents reporting recent alcohol consumption has decreased considerably compared with figures from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Increased parental awareness, school engagement programmes and stricter enforcement of age limits may all contribute. However, as in Spain, isolated episodes of binge drinking remain a concern, particularly in unsupervised social settings. Public health officials emphasise that while overall trends are encouraging, prevention strategies must continue addressing the risks associated with intense, infrequent alcohol consumption. Drug Use Trends Stabilisation and Preventative Education Cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit substance among adolescents in both Spain and the UK. Spain has seen a modest decline in cannabis experimentation, while the UK’s data suggests a stable pattern rather than a continued rise. In both countries, preventative measures now focus on long-term awareness rather than short-term deterrence. School-based education discussing health, wellbeing and emotional coping strategies forms a central part of the approach. Support services are increasingly integrated into schools and youth programmes, reflecting a recognition that substance use is influenced by social environments, stress and mental health. Sustaining and Deepening Improvements Education, Regulation and Community Support Both Spain and the UK have achieved significant progress in reducing adolescent smoking and alcohol consumption, but public health experts note that continued improvement is neither automatic nor guaranteed. Measures under consideration include increased regulation of vaping products, further public health campaigns, accessible early-intervention services, and expanded youth programmes offering alternatives to substance-related socialising. Strengthening communication between families, schools and healthcare systems may also help identify early signs of risky behaviour and provide support before harmful patterns develop. Official national surveys show sustained declines in adolescent cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption in both Spain and the UK. Cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit drug, but usage rates are stable or modestly declining. The UK has seen a significant increase in adolescent vaping, prompting regulatory proposals. Continued progress depends on combined efforts in education, regulation, family engagement and accessible support services. Continued monitoring will be essential to ensure that declines in one form of substance use are not offset by increases in another. Health agencies caution that adolescents adapt quickly to changes in availability and social norms, making responsive policymaking crucial. Both Spain and the United Kingdom have demonstrated that coordinated public health strategy can lead to substantial improvements in long-term wellbeing outcomes. Sustaining this progress will require ongoing vigilance, education and collaboration across communities, institutions and policymakers.
