Evolution of alcohol and tobacco consumption in young people in Spain, after the law 42/2010 against smoking: 2011-2014

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate alcohol and tobacco consumption in young people in Spain, after Law 42/2010, during the interval of 2011-2014. The sample consisted of 3270 young people aged between 15 and 24 years who completed the National Survey of Health in Spain (ENSE) of 2011 and the European Survey of Health in Spain (EESE) of 2014. Variables: consumption, type of tobacco, attempts to quit smoking, consumption and type of alcoholic beverage, binge drinking, and sociodemographic variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed with the sociodemographic variables. The results indicated a decrease in tobacco and alcohol consumption from 2011 to 2014, and increased attempts to quit smoking. Beer is the most popular drink, most consumption is carried out between 1 and 2 days per week, and half of the young people who drink alcohol have taken part in binge drinking in the last 12 months. There are significant differences in tobacco and alcohol consumption. Between 2011 and 2014, the number of occasional and daily smokers, and alcohol consumption decreased, coinciding with the entry into force of Law 42/2010. Binge drinking is the most common pattern among young people. The factors that relate to greater consumption of tobacco are: being male, being married, and not having university studies. On another hand, the variables related to alcohol consumption are: being male, having Spanish nationality and university studies.