Danish Teens Cut Nicotine Use, But Alcohol Still a Concern

In just two years, substance use habits among Danish youth have shifted noticeably. A December survey by Copenhagen Municipality of over 3,000 ninth-grade students shows fewer young teens are trying alcohol, cigarettes, snus, nicotine pouches, and vaping products like puff bars. Professor Jakob Johan Demant from the University of Copenhagen called the change “super positive,” noting that the share of students who haven’t tried e-cigarettes rose from 65% to 75%, and those avoiding snus and similar products climbed from 81% to 89%. Experts like Janne Tolstrup from the National Institute of Public Health see this as a potential turning point, though recent data suggests a plateau. Senior researcher Lotus Sofie Bast from the University of Southern Denmark added that early signs point to this trend being nationwide, not just limited to Copenhagen. A national prevention plan launched in 2023 aims to reduce youth access through stricter sales enforcement, flavor bans, and promoting drug-free social environments. Still, challenges remain. Despite lower usage among younger teens, Denmark holds the European record for adolescent alcohol consumption. Nearly 70% of Danish ninth graders reported drinking within the past month, far above Norway’s 32%, Sweden’s 24%, and Iceland’s 12%. Experts stress that cultural attitudes play a role, with many Danish parents hesitant to set firm boundaries due to their own past experiences. As Tolstrup notes, the real test will come when tracking older teens transitioning into upper secondary education.