A third of Hungarian underage high schoolers consume alcohol

According to an online survey, at least a fourth of youths between ages 14 and 18 consume alcohol weekly. The research, which was done by the Szétcsúszva program, has revealed that 80 per cent of 15-year-olds have tried alcohol, and below 3 per cent of the 18-year-old participants have never had any drink.

The survey shows that the situation is worse in smaller settlements, where 60 per cent of young people have tried alcohol before even turning 14, while in Budapest the percentage is at least under 50 per cent, but still very high, reported Index.

About 50 per cent of high schoolers consume alcohol on weekends, but only if there is such an event where alcoholic beverages are served. About a fourth of them drink regularly on weekends, 7 per cent of them drinks more than once a week, while circa 1.5 per cent said that they consume alcohol almost daily.

41 per cent of those who took the online survey drink mostly spirits (pálinka, rum, vodka, etc.), those who mostly drink beer are around 30 per cent, and those whose preferred beverage is wine are just above 20 per cent. Girls like spirits better, while boys prefer beer.