However, the study showed Irish teenagers were more likely to have taken illicit drugs than their continental counterparts. One in 10 Irish teens regarded their gambling as excessive, with 5.7pc saying it was problematic. Nearly a quarter of Irish teens said they had consumed alcohol at the age of 13 or younger, with 5.3pc claiming they became intoxicated. The report showed 31pc of Irish teens have smoked a cigarette in their lifetime compared with the European average of 41pc. The study showed 11pc of Irish teens claimed to have smoked before they were 13.

Source: The Herald November 13, 2020 02:26 UTC