BULGARIAN TEENAGERS RANKED AMONG WORST FOR ALCOHOL USE AND SMOKING

Bulgaria was ranked first with the highest levels of weekly underage consumption of alcohol and cigarette smoking. 30% of the 15 year-olds smoke at least once a week, an international study conducted in cooperation with the World Health Organization in 43 countries from Europe, the USA and Canada shows.

Bulgaria also has the highest proportions of children between 11 and 15 years of age in consumption of foods rich in sugar and soft drinks.

The Bulgarian teenagers are ranked first in terms of school bullying. Most bullied are boys at the age of 11, while boys are involved in bullying more often than girls.

“We will try to introduce better lessons, practical lessons for the children to target the problem because it is not just a question of food and physical activity. Mental health, interpersonal relations have deteriorated in the society and children and young people are just one example of how much aggression often prevails over dialogue, “ Assoc. Prof. Mihail Okoliiski, a representative of the World Health Organization for Bulgaria said.