Dublin: A new Healthy Ireland report from the Department of Health reveals that people in Ireland are sleeping less, struggling to quit smoking, and that harmful drinking is increasing—particularly among young women.
The report shows that one in three adults in Ireland now gets less than six hours of sleep per night, with middle-aged and older women most affected. Although experts recommend eight hours of rest for good health, the national average is just 6.9 hours, according to the Lifestyle Habits Survey. Before the pandemic, 25% of respondents reported poor sleep; that figure has now risen to 32%.
Smoking Rates Remain Stagnant
Despite Ireland’s long-standing smoking bans, awareness campaigns, and tobacco control policies, the rate of traditional cigarette use remains at 17%, unchanged since 2019. The survey found that 20% of men and 14% of women smoke, with the highest prevalence among those aged 20–24.
E-cigarette use continues to rise, with 8% of respondents vaping daily or occasionally—mostly women aged 15–24. Almost half of all vapers are former smokers, while 33% still smoke traditional cigarettes, and 17% have never smoked before taking up vaping.
High Blood Pressure Tops Health Concerns
Overall, 82% of respondents rated their health as good, slightly higher than 2023 (80%) but below the 85% recorded a decade ago. The most common health issues reported were high blood pressure (8%), arthritis (7%), high cholesterol, asthma, and diabetes (5%). Around 3% reported mental health problems.
Harmful Drinking Among Young Women
While the proportion of adults who drink alcohol declined slightly—from 73% in 2024 to 71% this year—the report highlights a rise in harmful drinking among young women aged 15–24. Regular drinking (at least once a week) decreased from 38% to 35%, but the demographic shift is notable: a decade ago, the heaviest drinkers were aged 25–35; now, it is the 15–24 age group.
The report also revealed that nearly half of all drinkers admitted to consuming alcohol while driving, a concerning trend noted by health authorities.
Menopause and Women’s Health
The survey found that 77% of women experiencing menopause reported hot flashes, while 66% were anemic and 56% had difficulty sleeping. Many also reported psychological symptoms, including poor memory and lack of concentration.
Only 34% of respondents reported using any form of contraception or family planning, meaning two-thirds of adults (66%) are not currently using any contraceptive methods.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan said the findings underscore the need for new policies and public health initiatives to address lifestyle risks and improve long-term wellbeing.
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