About 40% of 15-29-year-olds in Bulgaria Smoke Every Day

About 40% of young people (between 15 and 29 years old) in Bulgaria smoke traditional cigarettes practically every day, including 14% of young people under the age of 18 who are smokers. This is shown by a sociological survey by "Gallup International Balkan" commissioned by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, conducted in October. 1008 young people were interviewed using the face-to-face method.

The sociological agency notes that there are probably attempts to conceal and consciously deny that some of the young people smoke. The share of smokers among 18-24-year-olds is close to half.

Alternatives to traditional cigarettes, it seems, have not succeeded in displacing them in consumption among young people in Bulgaria. Liquid or heated tobacco e-cigarettes are less popular. Nevertheless, such "healthier" alternatives are periodically used by around and over 1/10 of Bulgarian youth. These shares are higher among the lowest age categories.

The use of marijuana is also not unusual for young people in Bulgaria. About a tenth say they have friends their age who use marijuana daily, and about a fifth say they have friends for whom regular (at least once a week, though not every day) use is commonplace.

The taking of hard drugs is rather kept quiet by the youth. The answers are only indirect. Several percent admit to knowing users, including regular, heroin, cocaine, etc.

Weak alcoholic beverages (such as beer and wine), according to the declared answers, are the subject of daily consumption for 7.3% of the young people questioned. Over a quarter consume light alcoholic beverages less often, but not less than once a week. The use of light alcohol is much more common among young men. After coming of age, daily use among young people reaches...