Official figures show less people now smoking

Less than one million adults now smoke in Scotland – the lowest level since before the Second World War.

Official figures revealed in the Scottish Health Survey 2013 show a significant drop in the percentage of adults reporting that they smoked – from 25% in 2012 to 21% in 2013.

Health charity ASH Scotland welcomed the achievement calling it an important milestone in the battle to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use.

ASH Scotland chief executive Sheila Duffy said: “This is a landmark moment - fewer than a million adults in Scotland are now smokers.

“When ASH Scotland was founded 41 years ago the smoking rate was more than double the current 21% figure.

“But hard work and a range of key health initiatives have helped increasingly to put tobacco out of fashion.

“We must continue this drive to ensure that Scotland reaches our goal of achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2034."

While the adult smoking rates represented an achievement there was still more work to be done to reduce children’s exposure to tobacco smoke, said Duffy.

“The new figures show that 11% of children report they are exposed to second-hand smoke in the home. A new target has been set to reduce that figure to 6% by 2020," she said.

“A Scottish Government campaign highlighted the issue this year – but the focus on reducing children’s exposure to second-hand smoke must continue – we owe it to the next generation.”