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Addressing Cannabis Use and Tobacco Trends Among Young People: Insights and Interventions

This report examines trends in substance misuse among young people, highlighting the rising prevalence of cannabis use compared to declining tobacco smoking. Key statistics reveal that cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug, especially among those aged 16-24, with a significant percentage of young offenders preferring cannabis over tobacco. The report discusses potential harm reduction interventions, such as separating tobacco and cannabis use and exploring various ingestion methods, to help reduce substance misuse and dependency.

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Addressing Cannabis Use and Tobacco Trends Among Young People: Insights and Interventions

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  1. Cannabis: Reducing Harm Paul Jacob, substance misuse worker, Brighton and Hove Youth Offending Team

  2. Smoking amongst young people • Smoking tobacco is declining amongst young people • 6% 11-15 smoke at least once a week • 22% 16-19 years olds smoke at least once a week • 30% 20-24 year olds smoke at least once a week • Girls are more likely to smoke tobacco than boys

  3. Cannabis use amongst young people • Cannabis is by far the most commonly used illegal drug amongst young people • Use peaks between ages 16-24 • 10% boys and 9% girls aged 11 – 15 used it in the last year • 25% young men and 15% young women aged 16 - 24 used it in the last year • Boys are more likely to smoke cannabis than girls (Dept of Health 2009 Focal Point: UK Drug Situation)

  4. Substance use amongst young people who offend • Cannabis use (86%) exceeds tobacco use (85%) • 64% say cannabis is their ‘favourite’ drug • Substance use more likely to occur at an earlier age • Cannabis use more frequently precedes or occurs alongside initial tobacco use • Use is more likely to be more frequent and intense • Almost all always smoke skunk, some occasionally smoke resin • Almost all smoke in joints with tobacco, some also smoke a cannabis and tobacco mix in a bong (Hammersley, R. et al (2003) Substance Use by Young Offenders: The Impact of The Normalisation of Drug Use in the 21st Century, London: Home Office)

  5. Cannabis and Nicotine – Hypotheses and Observations • Nicotine addiction may exacerbate cannabis dependency • Tobacco use may increase the frequency and intensity of cannabis use • Early tobacco use seems to increase likelihood of later substance misuse • Cannabis may relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms and vice versa • Nicotine replacement therapy and stopping smoking appear to support cannabis reduction or cessation

  6. Harm Reduction Interventions • Separate tobacco and cannabis use • Switch from joint to blunt, bong, pipe, vaporiser or oral • Alternate ingestion method • Reduce impact on sleep • Tracing Triggers • Switching from skunk tostandard weed or cannabis resin

  7. Harm Reduction Interventions • Identify and work towards ‘optimum minimum dose’ • NRT reduces cravings for cannabis and frequency of use • Scaling each smoke • Increase gaps between smokes • Use less cannabis in each smoke • Take regular breaks – to avoid ‘tolerance’

  8. ru-ok? ru-ok? Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Ovest House 58 West Street Brighton BN1 2RA 01273 293966 ru-ok@brighton-hove.gov.uk

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