Austria’s Addiction Landscape: A Deep Dive into Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Trends
Austria’s latest addiction report, released by Health Austria, paints a complex picture of substance use in the country. While there are signs of progress in reducing cigarette and alcohol consumption, emerging nicotine products and stable illegal drug use remain significant concerns.
The Decline in Cigarette Use Among Youth
One of the most notable findings is the sharp decline in cigarette smoking among young people.In 2002, over 20% of 15-year-olds smoked daily. By 2022, that number had plummeted to just 4%. However, this positive trend is being undermined by the rise of alternative nicotine products.
Martin Busch, head of the Competence Center Addiction at the GöG, warns that these products are often marketed as lifestyle accessories.“Again and again, they would be given free of charge at clubbings and in public spaces,” he told ORF.AT.The data reveals that 3% of 15-year-olds consume nicotine bags daily, while 2% use e-cigarettes. Occasional use of nicotine bags is even higher, with 13% of teens reporting consumption. boys are more likely to use these products than girls, and the trend is rising rapidly. By December 2024, nearly 19% of boys and over 8% of girls were consuming nicotine bags daily.
Austria’s Leadership in Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
Austria remains a high-consumption country for both alcohol and tobacco. according to the report, 21% of Austrians smoke daily, a figure that has seen a long-term decline but has stagnated in recent years.Encouragingly, almost a third of smokers are considering quitting.
Alcohol consumption, while declining, remains a significant public health issue. Austria’s per capita alcohol consumption is decreasing, but at a slower rate than in other countries.Currently, 15% of Austrians consume alcohol at levels harmful to their health, with men (19%) more affected than women (11%).“men die three to four times more frequently enough from alcohol-related causes than women,” Busch noted. Problematic alcohol consumption increases with age, though the decline among young people, especially male teenagers, is a positive sign.
Illegal Drugs: Stable Consumption, Rising Overdoses
the report highlights that the consumption of illegal drugs, from cannabis to heroin, has remained stable. However, there is a concerning rise in cocaine use. Opioids like heroin dominate high-risk drug use, affecting an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 people, primarily men over 25 in urban areas like Vienna.
While the number of drug users has remained relatively unchanged, fatal overdoses have surged. From 2009 to 2014, drug-related deaths fell from 206 to 122. However, by 2023, this number had doubled to 256.
Busch explained that the reasons for this increase are unclear. Factors may include the increased purity of substances and the aging population of long-term users. “Although they are well integrated into the drug aid system, they become multimorbide with increasing age, which lowers their tolerance limit and ultimately increases their risk of death,” he said.
Government Action on nicotine Addiction
in response to the rise of nicotine products, Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) has proposed a draft Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction act. The legislation aims to ban the sale of nicotine bags to individuals under 18,addressing concerns about addiction and the potential carcinogenic effects of added flavors.
Key Statistics at a glance
| Substance | Key Findings |
|————————|———————————————————————————|
| Cigarettes | 21% of Austrians smoke daily; 4% of 15-year-olds smoke daily (down from 20% in 2002). |
| Nicotine Bags | 3% of 15-year-olds consume daily; 19% of boys and 8% of girls by December 2024. |
| Alcohol | 15% consume at harmful levels; men (19%) more affected than women (11%). |
| Illegal Drugs | Stable consumption; 256 drug-related deaths in 2023 (up from 122 in 2014). |
A Call to action
Austria’s addiction report underscores the need for continued vigilance and targeted interventions. While progress has been made in reducing conventional tobacco and alcohol use, emerging nicotine products and the rise in drug overdoses present new challenges.
For more insights into Austria’s public health landscape, visit Health Austria and explore their latest Epidemiology Report.
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Graphics: APA/ORF; Source: Health austria/Epidemiology Report 2024
