Only 2.7% of young people aged 15-25 now smoke cigarettes daily. This marks the lowest rate ever recorded by researchers at Aarhus University's Center for Substance Abuse Research. Their new survey reveals a dramatic decline in traditional tobacco use.
Just a decade ago, 15.4% of young Danes smoked daily. That number dropped to 8.6% two years ago before reaching today's historic low.
But other nicotine products are gaining popularity. Young people increasingly use snus and disposable e-cigarettes called puffbars.
Men prefer snus, the moist tobacco pouches placed under the lip. Women more often choose puffbars and vaping devices.
The same survey tracks alcohol and drug use among Nordic youth. Researchers collected responses from 2,166 young people this year.
Fewer teens have tried alcohol now compared to a decade ago. The percentage dropped from 95.1% to 93.1%.
But weekly drinking has increased noticeably. About 25% of young people now drink alcohol weekly, up from 19% in 2014.
Drug experimentation has declined substantially. In 2014, 44.8% of youth had tried illicit substances. Today that figure stands at 33.4%.
Cannabis use shows particular decline, though it remains the most common drug among young people. About 12.6% have tried cannabis in the past year, while 4% have experimented with cocaine.
The shift away from cigarettes reflects successful public health campaigns, but the rise of alternative nicotine products presents new challenges for regulators.