The website is a new branch of the advice line NHS Direct

The Room will promote a whole range of health issues among 15 to 24-year-olds in Wales.

Health Minister Jane Hutt said: "This age group faces many health problems, and the new service will help tackle these."

Issues such as drugs, smoking, binge drinking and sexual health are all featured.

The website aims to offer young people a way of finding out about problems in private without fear of embarrassment.

Ms Hutt, launching the service which was based in Swansea, said: "If they can have access to clear, informative and non-patronising advice it can start to bring about the change in attitudes which we all know is essential if we are going to improve health in Wales."

Sexually-transmitted disease is of particular concern, after recent figures showed a doubling in the numbers of people under 20 with infections in Wales, England and Northern Ireland over the last decade.

The caseload has increased from 669,291 to 1,332,910 between 1991 and 2001.

"If it can get across key messages on how to protect against these then we will be making a major impact on this serious health problem," said Ms Hutt.