The problem of solvent abuse isn’t confined to the United Kingdom. Incidents of sniffing and abuse have been reported worldwide, although the nature and extent of the problem differs from country to country and young people may sniff for a number of different reasons.

In the UK peer pressure, boredom, or social and emotional problems may contribute to VSA. Elsewhere, particularly among children living on the streets of countries such as Romania or Guatemala, VSA is seen as a coping mechanism. It is used by the children to keep them awake for work, alert to possible violence, to get to sleep, to dull physical or emotional pain and to replace the need for food. There are an estimated 100 million street children worldwide, and in Paraguay, for example, it is thought that 80-85% of street children have experimented with VSA.

Of the countries in the European Union, VSA in the UK has received a lot of attention and the levels of use and reported deaths associated with the deliberate inhalation of volatile chemicals are comparatively high.

United States-In 1988 the US reported that an estimated 3,170,000 people had abused volatile substances, 273,000 on a daily basis.

Mexico-12% of street children surveyed said they had started using glue on a regular basis at 9 years old.

Guatemala-More than 50% of street children use substances, mainly shoe glue.

Bolivia-Street children deliberately cut themselves under the influence of glue to show bravery and status, or when feeling angry or sad.

Brazil-Glue sniffing is used as a replacement for food. A tube of glue will last two or three days instead of food.

Egypt-Children use substances to dull their pain when fighting or being beaten. Glue is an affordable coping mechanism.

Sudan-Glue and benzene are sniffed because they are not legally considered drugs. 22% of street youth sniff glue.

Tanzania-Street children sniff glue and petrol as a statement against society. Chronic petrol sniffers are known as "mapetroli" or petrol-heads.

Australia-There is widespread use of petrol among young aboriginal people in some rural desert communities.

India-Glue and petrol sniffing is accepted as a normal way of coping among street children.

Philippines-Street children make up 2 to 3% of the child population, and many sniff solvents or drink cough syrups to escape their suffering.

Japan-Authorities have expressed alarm at suicides linked to sniffing paint thinners after the deaths of three of five teenagers who leapt from the seventh floor of a building.

Romania-A study of street children in Bucharest and two other cities indicated that 99% use solvents, including glues and thinners.

Bulgaria-VSA is a growing problem, particularly amongst the gypsy population. In 1989 there were an estimated 6000 users

Czech Republic-Volatile substances are the second most commonly abused substances, after medical drugs. Since 1970 young people have been sniffing a cleaning substance called "Cikuli".

Prague-Glues and solvents represent the most commonly used substances. Anyone on the streets for more than a week will try sniffing.

Uganda-Children living on the street commonly abuse aviation fuel and petrol.