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 Substance use

Children were asked on how many days, in their lifetime and in the past 30 days, they had smoked cigarettes, used electronic cigarettes, drunk alcohol and taken cannabis. Cannabis use in the last 12 months was also asked. The response options were:

  • Never
  • 1-2 days
  • 3-5 days
  • 6-9 days
  • 10-19 days
  • 20-29 days
  • 30 days (or more)

In the visualisation below:

  • The tabs ‘Use in the last 30 days’ and ‘Lifetime use’ compare consumption of the different substances by selecting the frequency 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)