Menu
18/08/2005
Queen’s survey reveals teenage habits
Seven out of ten 16-year-old’s in Northern Ireland have drunk alcohol and more than a third have smoked tobacco, a new survey has revealed.
The Young Life and Times (YLT) Survey entitled, 'Drinking, Smoking, Drugs and Sexual Intercourse - Education and Influences for Young People in Northern Ireland', was undertaken by Queen’s University to tackle issues such as binge drinking, smoking and sexual health among young people.
It found that 38% of females and 31% of males had smoked tobacco a few or many times while 20% of males were more likely than females (15%) to say that they had had sexual intercourse.
Illegal drug use was more frequent among males (16%) than females (10%) while respondents were most likely to have received lessons on illegal drugs (80%) and least likely to have had lessons on solvents (65%).
Commenting on the figures, Sarah Hannaford, the author of the report, said: "One of the most interesting findings in terms of future health promotion policies in Northern Ireland is that young people living in urban and inner-city areas were much more likely to have taken any of the substances or to have had sexual intercourse.
“It was also interesting to see that young people who reported high levels of boredom in school were more likely to report experiences of drinking, smoking, illegal drug use and sexual intercourse."
YLT is an annual Northern Ireland wide survey of 16-year-olds undertaken by ARK (Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive), a joint project between Queen's University Belfast and University of Ulster.
The full report can be found on the ARK website at www.ark.ac.uk/publications.
(MB/SP)
The Young Life and Times (YLT) Survey entitled, 'Drinking, Smoking, Drugs and Sexual Intercourse - Education and Influences for Young People in Northern Ireland', was undertaken by Queen’s University to tackle issues such as binge drinking, smoking and sexual health among young people.
It found that 38% of females and 31% of males had smoked tobacco a few or many times while 20% of males were more likely than females (15%) to say that they had had sexual intercourse.
Illegal drug use was more frequent among males (16%) than females (10%) while respondents were most likely to have received lessons on illegal drugs (80%) and least likely to have had lessons on solvents (65%).
Commenting on the figures, Sarah Hannaford, the author of the report, said: "One of the most interesting findings in terms of future health promotion policies in Northern Ireland is that young people living in urban and inner-city areas were much more likely to have taken any of the substances or to have had sexual intercourse.
“It was also interesting to see that young people who reported high levels of boredom in school were more likely to report experiences of drinking, smoking, illegal drug use and sexual intercourse."
YLT is an annual Northern Ireland wide survey of 16-year-olds undertaken by ARK (Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive), a joint project between Queen's University Belfast and University of Ulster.
The full report can be found on the ARK website at www.ark.ac.uk/publications.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 June 2016
Over Half Of Children In Most Deprived Areas Living With A Smoker
Over half of the children living in Northern Ireland's most deprived areas are living with an adult smoker, according to new research.
Over Half Of Children In Most Deprived Areas Living With A Smoker
Over half of the children living in Northern Ireland's most deprived areas are living with an adult smoker, according to new research.
11 June 2004
Fifth of all NI pupils bullied
More than a fifth of pupils in Northern Ireland have been bullied according to a new survey out on Friday.
Fifth of all NI pupils bullied
More than a fifth of pupils in Northern Ireland have been bullied according to a new survey out on Friday.
07 March 2017
Boys Less Likely Than Girls To Seek Help Over Suicidal Thoughts - NSPCC
Boys in Northern Ireland are less likely to look for help if they are feeling suicidal compared to girls, according to the NSPCC. The charity said girls contacted them twice as often as boys, despite twice as many boys aged between 10-19 died by suicide than girls in 2015.
Boys Less Likely Than Girls To Seek Help Over Suicidal Thoughts - NSPCC
Boys in Northern Ireland are less likely to look for help if they are feeling suicidal compared to girls, according to the NSPCC. The charity said girls contacted them twice as often as boys, despite twice as many boys aged between 10-19 died by suicide than girls in 2015.
13 February 2023
Youth Workers Taught To Spot Signs Of Child Sexual Exploitation
The PSNI and Youth Work Alliance have hosted a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) training event – the first of three training events to support and ensure youth workers across Northern Ireland can spot the signs of Child Sexual Exploitation.
Youth Workers Taught To Spot Signs Of Child Sexual Exploitation
The PSNI and Youth Work Alliance have hosted a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) training event – the first of three training events to support and ensure youth workers across Northern Ireland can spot the signs of Child Sexual Exploitation.
28 October 2022
PSNI Continues Crackdown On Child Sexual Exploitation
As L'Derry prepares to host their annual Halloween Festival, the PSNI have urged the public to be vigilant about "a crime that may be hidden in plain sight". The Halloween parade traditionally involves hundreds of local performers, drawn from schools, clubs and groups right across the City and District.
PSNI Continues Crackdown On Child Sexual Exploitation
As L'Derry prepares to host their annual Halloween Festival, the PSNI have urged the public to be vigilant about "a crime that may be hidden in plain sight". The Halloween parade traditionally involves hundreds of local performers, drawn from schools, clubs and groups right across the City and District.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
