Objectives This study assessed the support for bans for
tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs in adolescents and young
adults across the European Union (EU).
Methods Data were analysed for the years 2008, 2011, and
2014 for 27 EU member states. 37,253 individuals aged
15–24 years were interviewed ascertaining their support
for banning tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin,
and ecstasy. Changes over time were assessed using multilevel
logistic regression.
Results Support for banning heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine
was constantly greater than 90%, although support fell over
time. Support for cannabis ban declined (from 67.6% in
2008 to 53.7% in 2014) as well as support for alcohol ban
(from 8.9% in 2008 to 6.9% in 2014) and tobacco ban
(from 17.9% in 2008 to 16.5% in 2014).
Conclusions Support for banning substances among EU
adolescents and young adults varied, with high support for
heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy, but less support for banning
cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol. There was reduction in
support of banning all substances between 2008 and 2014,
but this varied substantially between European countries.