This report by Southwestern Public Health staff was released in July 2024. Summary:
Local youth report using alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and magic mushrooms more than youth in Ontario. Over half of local youth report drinking alcohol in the last 12 months, approximately 10% higher compared to youth in Ontario. However, the use of tobacco was the most significant with youth in the SWPH region, who reported smoking 2x more than youth in
Ontario.
More than 1 in 3 youth in the SWPH region reported using alcohol, cannabis, and smoking a full tobacco cigarette for the first time in grade 9.
As substance-related harms have been increasing among adults in the region, focusing on youth for health promotion and local programs could impact these harms in adults by delaying early initiation and substance use over time.