According to the latest survey from the French Observatory for Drugs and Addictive Trends (OFDT), the experimentation and use of psychoactive substances among young people continues to decline, with the exception of alcohol. Published on February 25, 2024, the survey examines the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and other illicit substances among middle and high school students. This trend reveals a changing attitude towards substance use among adolescents in France.

The results indicate that in 2024, only 7.7% of middle school students and 30.6% of high school students reported having smoked a cigarette, compared to 27.8% of middle schoolers and over two-thirds of high schoolers ten years earlier. This represents a drastic reduction in cigarette smoking rates, highlighting a shift in health awareness and behavioral patterns among youth. Daily smoking rates are also notably low, with just 0.9% of middle school students and 5.6% of high school students identifying as daily smokers.

The implications of these findings are significant for public health policy and youth education. As the prevalence of smoking and cannabis use declines, it may reflect successful prevention campaigns and a growing understanding of the health risks associated with substance use. Meanwhile, the ongoing concern around alcohol consumption indicates that while progress has been made, vigilance is required to address all aspects of substance use among young people in France.