England ranks No.1 in underage drinking and vaping – WHO

Children in England are drinking alcohol more than kids in any other country, a serious report finds. Not only that, but they’re also vaping and smoking a lot.

The World Health Organization looked at data from 44 countries, talking to 280,000 kids aged 11, 13, and 15 about smoking, vaping, and drinking.

In England, more than one-third of 11-year-olds have tried alcohol, and by age 13, more than half have. These rates are the highest globally. Girls seem to drink, smoke, and vape more than boys.

The report shows that advertising might be part of the problem, as children are exposed to harmful products like alcohol online. Experts say this is a serious health issue, and the government should take action to protect young people from these risks.

The government says they’re working on it, with plans to restrict tobacco and vape sales to people born after 2009. They aim to create a smoke-free generation and reduce the appeal of these products to children.