Galway Bay fm newsroom - An NUI Galway led study has revealed that less young people are smoking and drinking, and more are reporting a higher level of overall life satisfaction.
The report was launched this week by Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran Kennedy and examines trends from 1998 to 2014.
The research was carried out by Professor Saoirse Nic Gabhainn and her team at the Health Promotion Research Centre in NUI Galway.
The survey reports that in 2014, 8% of Irish children aged between 10 and 17 said they were smoking.
This compares to 23% in 1998.
21% reported they had never experienced being drunk, compared to 33% in 1998, while 8% reported they had used cannabis in the last year compared to 12% in 1998.
Dr. Michal Molcho is a Senior Children's Studies Lecturer and a member of the behavioural study team - she says although high rates of life satisfaction were recorded, many young girls still experience negative feelings.
