The number of young Scots who smoke has fallen to its lowest level in almost 30 years, a survey has found.

The Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey showed that 11% of 15-year-old boys and 14% of similarly-aged girls smoked in 2010.

In 1996, the proportion was 30% across both sexes, and the 2010 figures are the lowest since the survey began in 1982.

The survey showed that some children as young as 13 are allowed to smoke at home. Smokers were also more likely to spend longer socialising with their friends.

Drink and drugs were also covered, and the survey showed an increase in alcohol consumption since 2008.

For drugs, the report found cannabis was the most common drug, particularly among 15 year olds. Use of the drug in the last month was reported by 13% of 15-year-old boys, 8% of 15-year-old girls, 2% of 13-year-old boys and 1% of 13-year-old girls.

The report added that "very few" pupils reported using any other drug.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the drop in numbers of smokers was encouraging and proved the decision to raise tobacco sales from 16 to 18 was "the right thing to do".

She added: "The fact remains that while there are still teenagers smoking, we must continue to take firm action. If smoking is to become a thing of the past, we must prevent children and young people from taking up smoking. That is why we also passed legislation to ban the display of tobacco.

"We are committed to maintaining Scotland's position as a world leader on tobacco control and will develop a new comprehensive robust tobacco control strategy over the next year. This will focus on prevention and cessation and include ambitious targets for reducing smoking across Scotland."

Chief Executive of anti-tobacco charity Ash Scotland, Sheila Duffy, said: "It’s great to see that smoking amongst young people in Scotland is now at historic lows, with the majority of young people reporting that they’ve never been smokers.

"These are the real successes, and the result of more than a decade of comprehensive action on tackling tobacco."  

For information and advice on giving up smoking, visit the STV Health Centre, bought to you by NHS inform.