In Finland the proportion of students who had been drinking any alcohol during the last 12 months is broadly the same as the average for all countries (80 compared to 83%). The 12 months prevalence of being drunk is, however, substantially higher than average (64 compared to 53%). The proportion of students who had ever smoked cigarettes is somewhat higher in Finland than the average for all ESPAD countries (70 compared to 66%) and the same holds true regarding the 30 days prevalence (38 versus 35%).

Smaller proportions than average reported use of marijuana or hashish (11 versus 21%) as well as use of illicit drugs other than cannabis (3 versus 6%). The proportions reporting use of inhalants is about the same as the average (8 compared to 10%) and the same is true for tranquillisers and sedatives without a doctor’s prescription (7 versus 6%). In Finland it is more common to have used alcohol in combination with pills (12%) than the average for all ESPAD countries (7%).