The cannabis consumption in the Balearic Islands is above the national average, while tobacco consumption continues to decline and is below the national average, according to the latest data from the EDADES survey 2023-2024. In the last 12 months, 14.9% of the Balearic population has consumed cannabis, surpassing the 12.6% at national level, placing the islands in a prominent position regarding the consumption of this illegal drug.
52.4% of the Balearic people have tried cannabis at some point in their life, consolidating it as the most consumed illegal substance in the islands. Consumption is particularly widespread among men and young people under 35, who show a higher prevalence compared to other age groups.
On the other hand, tobacco consumption in the Balearic Islands has decreased, with 32.7% of the population aged between 15 and 64 reporting smoking in the last year, four percentage points below the national average, which stands at 36.8%. Daily consumption is more common among men (25.8%) than among women (22.2%).
Alcohol, the most consumed substance
As for alcohol, it remains the most consumed substance, with 80% of the Balearic population having drunk in the last year, followed by tobacco (32.7%) and cannabis (14.9%). The consumption of other substances, such as hypnotics (9.7%), electronic cigarettes (4.4%) and cocaine (3.5%), remains at lower figures. Compared to the previous survey, there is a notable increase in cannabis and cocaine consumption in the Balearic Islands, while hypnotics have seen a decline.
The age of initiation in substance use remains stable, with earlier initiation in alcohol consumption, which happens at 16.4 years, and tobacco at 17 years. For other substances, initiation in the use of hypnotics (31.3 years) and opioid analgesics (31.9 years) occurs much later. Regarding gender differences, consumption in the last 12 months is higher among men, except for hypnotics and opioid analgesics, which are more commonly consumed by women.
Regarding the use of electronic cigarettes, 18.3% of the population has tried these devices at some point. Of those, 39.8% have used them with nicotine, and 50.7% of those who have tried electronic cigarettes were daily tobacco consumers.
A new aspect of the 2024 survey is the inclusion of questions about the consumption of pornography. 72.8% of the Balearic population has consumed pornography content at some point in their life, 28.8% in the last year, and 16.7% in the last month, with higher prevalence among men and those under 35 years of age.
Comprehensive Addiction Plan
The study, based on 838 interviews conducted in the Balearic Islands, is part of a national survey promoted by the Government Delegation for the National Drug Plan. Its results will be key to the development of the Comprehensive Addiction Plan of the Balearic Islands 2025-2032, recently presented by the Ministry of Health. This new strategy aims to address not only substance use but also behavioural addictions, with special attention to the youth population.
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