The council of Alzira is engaged in creating its new Municipal Addiction Prevention Plan, covering the period 2026-2029. This document's primary objective is to update knowledge on addictive behaviors in the city and define preventive strategies for the coming years. A notable new inclusion is the focus on emerging forms of dependency among young people, such as addiction to pornography or social media.
The latest data from the Ministry of Health, corresponding to 2025, indicate that alcohol consumption among young people remains high, with 74.3% having tried it at least once. Furthermore, an increase in vaper use is being reported. According to Jesús Pelluch, a psychologist at the Community Prevention Unit for Addictive Behaviors (UPCCA), professionals are observing that the age of initiation for vaper consumption is getting younger, sometimes as early as 9 or 10 years old, even though statistics suggest 12 as the average.
One of the main concerns is the ease of access to these products via the internet and social media, channels that lack clear regulation. Pelluch also warns about the emergence of new nicotine consumption methods, such as the pouches placed under the lip. Therefore, he stresses the need to broaden the preventive scope and adapt it to the rapid evolution of these addictive behaviors.
For her part, the Councilor for Public Health, Lara Ferrer, emphasizes the importance of close collaboration with young people and educational centers. Ferrer points out that high schools often have limited resources to address these situations, highlighting the necessity of municipal support.
The UPCCA has made two online forms available to the public, open until October. One is aimed at the general population, with 14 questions, and the other is intended for professionals, technical staff, and educators working in Alzira.
