A comprehensive study examining the lives of Scottish 17-year-olds has uncovered concerning patterns regarding Scottish teenagers substance use, with the vast majority having experimented with alcohol and significant numbers trying vaping and smoking.

The Growing Up in Scotland study, published on 29 October 2025, reveals that nine in ten young people (90.1%) had consumed alcohol by age 17, even if only a sip. More than six in ten (63.6%) had tried e-cigarettes or vaping devices, whilst nearly half (47.9%) had smoked a cigarette.

Deprivation gap widens in adolescent drug use

The research highlights stark inequalities linked to socioeconomic status. Young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas showed higher rates of experimentation compared to their peers in affluent communities. In the most deprived areas, 53.3% had tried cigarettes versus 43.4% in the least deprived areas, whilst vaping rates stood at 67.4% compared to 57.6% respectively.

Daily smoking also correlated strongly with deprivation, with 19.7% of teenagers in highly deprived areas smoking every day compared to just 6.4% in the least deprived quintile.

Regular vaping and drinking patterns emerge

Among those who had experimented with vaping, just over one in five (21.8%) now vape daily, with this figure rising to 26.8% amongst young people from the most deprived areas. Nearly one in ten (9.8%) vape at least weekly.

Alcohol consumption patterns show that whilst 21.9% of those who had drunk alcohol abstained over the previous month, 19.2% had consumed alcohol on six or more days during that period. Concerningly, three in four young drinkers (77.0%) reported binge drinking—having five or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion—within the past year, with 29.6% doing so ten times or more.

Cannabis and other drugs

The study found that one in three young people (33.8%) had tried cannabis, with Scottish teenagers substance use rates higher amongst young men (38.3%) than young women (29.5%). Amongst cannabis users, 17.2% reported using it most days or at least weekly.

Experimentation with drugs other than cannabis was reported by 12.7% of respondents. Of these, 41.6% used such substances at least occasionally throughout the year, though most (32.0%) had only tried them once.

Gender differences in adolescent drug use

The research identified notable gender disparities. Young men showed higher rates of cannabis use and were more likely to use drugs other than cannabis on a regular basis. They were also more inclined towards risk-taking behaviour generally, with 49.5% reporting high willingness to take risks compared to 38.7% of young women.

Links to anti-social behaviour

Around one in five young people (22.0%) had engaged in at least one form of anti-social behaviour, rising to 28.3% amongst young men. The most common infractions included being rowdy in public places (8.7%), physical violence with intent to injure (6.8%), and shoplifting (5.1%).

Young men were significantly more likely to have been rowdy in public (12.2% versus 5.7% of young women) and to have physically assaulted someone (10.1% versus 4.1%).

Police contact

Nearly one in five teenagers (17.3%) had some contact with police since their previous interview, with young men more than twice as likely as young women to have experienced this (23.1% compared to 12.4%). Young disabled people showed higher rates of formal warnings or charges for criminal offences.

Implications for policy

The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing Scottish teenagers substance use, particularly in communities facing socioeconomic challenges. The data suggests that prevention efforts must begin well before age 17, as experimentation with alcohol, vaping, and smoking appears widespread.

Understanding these patterns of Scottish teenagers substance use provides crucial insights for developing effective strategies to support young people in making healthier choices during this critical developmental period.

Source: dbrecoveryresources