Higher rate of 15-year-old girls drinking than in other countries plus rise in 15-year-olds smoking contrasts with fewer boys drinking
In 2000, about 19% of children under 16 in England smoked, according to Action on Smoking and Health. By 2018, this had declined to 5%.
But, according to a major report by the World Health Organization released on Thursday, a third of 11-year-olds and over half of 13-year-olds had drunk alcohol, the highest number of any country worldwide. Girls were found to be more likely than boys to have drunk at 15.
