By Mairead Carey

Ireland's teenagers are the worst binge drinkers in Europe, according to a new survey published on Tuesday. 

The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD) found that, in 2003, one in three of all Irish teenagers had been involved in binge drinking, putting them top of the league in Europe. 

But as shocking as that statistic may be, the survey also found that Irish girls drank even more than teenage boys. 

Beer was the most popular drink among boys, while spirits and particularly alcopops were the most popular drink among girls.

Nearly one-third of Irish 16-year-olds said they had been drunk 10 or more times during the last 12 months, putting them second in Europe after Denmark. 

Turkey had the lowest prevalence (5%) of teenage binge drinking, the report found. France (9%), Hungary (8%) and Cyprus (10%) also recorded low levels of heavy drinking among teenagers.

Almost one in four Irish students have used cannabis, according to the survey. Irish teenagers are almost twice as likely to have used the drug than teenagers in other EU countries, while 8% said they had used drugs other than cannabis. 

But there was one statistic which was welcomed. The study found that cigarette smoking has dropped substantially among the 16-year-old population. 

The numbers of teenagers smoking has fallen by some 10% since the smoking ban was introduced last March. 

Ireland has topped the binge drinking table since 1999.