Home ▻ Public Sites▻Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children▻Data Visuals▻HBSC Ireland 2018 Age of Initiation

HBSC Ireland 2018 Age of Initiation

 ‌HEALTH BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (HBSC) IRELAND

World Health Organization Collaborative Cross-National Study


The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey is a WHO collaborative cross-national study that monitors the health behaviours, health outcomes and social environments of school-aged children every four years. HBSC Ireland surveys school-going children aged 9-18 years. The study is conducted by the HBSC Ireland team, based at the Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway.

HBSC Ireland 2018 Age of Initiation

Children were asked at what age they first drank alcohol (more than a small amount), got drunk, smoked a cigarette (more than a puff), and took cannabis. The response options were:

  • Never
  • 11 years old or less
  • 12 years old
  • 13 years old
  • 14 years old
  • 15 years old
  • 16 years or older

In the visualisation below:

  • The tab ‘All Substances’ compares the different substances by selecting the initiation age from the drop down list on the right.
  • Check or uncheck any items in the legend to filter/highlight the data
  • Hover over the chart to see a pop-up with further information
  • Clicking within the chart will also highlight data; use ctrl & click to highlight multiple data
  • Click the icons at the bottom of the visual to:
     reset (return the visual to the default setting)
     share (get a URL link and embed code)
     download a version of the visual
     view the visual in full screen mode (recommended)