Smoking rates in Scottish schoolchildren

Smoking prevalence among 15 year olds

• In 2008, 14% of 15 year old boys were regular smokers*, this compares with 12% in 2006, 14% in 2004, 15% in 2000 and 30% in 1996
• In 2008, 16% of 15 year old girls were regular smokers, this compares with 18% in 2006, 24% in 2004, 24% in 2000 and 30% in 1996

Smoking prevalence among 13 year olds

• In 2008, 3% of 13 year old boys were regular smokers, this compares with 3% in 2006, 5% in 2004, 5% in 2000 and 8% in 1996
• In 2008, 4% of 13 year old girls were regular smokers, this compares with 5% in 2006, 7% in 2004, 10% in 2000 and 10% in 1996

Source: NHS Scotland and National Statistics. 2009. Scottish schools adolescent lifestyle and substance use survey (SALSUS) national report: smoking, drinking and drug use among 13 and 15 year olds in Scotland in 2008 [online] Edinburgh: ISD Scotland. Available from: http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/abstracts/salsus_national08.htm [accessed 24 June 2009]

* a regular smoker is defined as smoking 1 or more cigarettes a week

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