Chilean youth health surveys show rising vape use and wellbeing concerns

Recent health surveys in Chile have highlighted varying trends in adolescent substance use and wellbeing. In the Coquimbo Region, results from the 2024 Global Youth Tobacco Survey indicate that while traditional cigarette consumption remains low at 1.6%, there is a significant concern regarding electronic cigarettes. Approximately 9.5% of students aged 13 to 15 reported using vapes within the last month. Additionally, 37.9% of adolescents who have never used tobacco expressed susceptibility to doing so in the future, the highest rate recorded among the country's regions.

In the Maule Region, SENDA is conducting the ‘Youth and Wellbeing’ survey across 122 educational establishments. Targeting second-year high school students, the study examines quality of life, emotional wellbeing, and substance use. The initiative aims to provide schools with data to identify risk factors and strengthen prevention programs, building on previous findings that highlighted both student happiness and issues such as low self-esteem and emotional distress.