Recent legislation to curb smoking and exposure to second hand smoke has been praised by a health charity

The amount of smokers in Scotland is continuing to fall, official statistics have shown.

Figures published in the Scottish Health Survey 2017 show the proportion of adults who are identified as current smokers has fallen to 18% - the lowest level in 10 years and a decrease of 10% since 2003. The report also highlights only 6% of children are exposed to second hand smoke in their own home – a 1% drop on last year and a 6% drop since 2012

The British Lung Foundation has welcomed new figures and praised the effect recent legislation has had on reducing smoking rates.

The data is the first to be collected since the Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Act came into force in December 2016 – which made it illegal to smoke in a car carrying anyone under the age of 18.

Joseph Carter, head of British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: “It’s really good news that the number of children that are being exposed to second-hand smoke is in decline in Scotland. The British Lung Foundation campaigned hard for new laws to protect children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and this early data suggests that this approach is working to reduce the harmful impact of cigarette smoke on children’s developing lungs.

“We are pleased to see an overall decline in the number of adults that are regularly smoking and we want to see sustained action to continue the downward trend that these figures highlight. That’s why the British Lung Foundation will continue to campaign for a dedicated respiratory improvement strategy brought forward by the Scottish Government, to improve the lung health of smokers and non-smokers alike.”