Smoking among school children has fallen to its lowest level for 25 years, a study from the NHS Information Centre has revealed.
In 2007 only 6% of pupils aged 11 to 15 said they smoked at least once a week, down from 9% in 2006 and the lowest figure recorded since the study began in 1982.
The study also shows a long-term decline in the proportion of pupils who have tried smoking, from 53% in 1982 to 33% in 2007.
NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: "These figures show that school children are turning their
backs on tobacco, which can only be a good thing for future generations."
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: "These figures provide a welcome and timely counterbalance to the rhetoric from some politicians which would lead us to assume that underage smoking is a growing problem."
In 2007 only 6% of pupils aged 11 to 15 said they smoked at least once a week, down from 9% in 2006 and the lowest figure recorded since the study began in 1982.
The study also shows a long-term decline in the proportion of pupils who have tried smoking, from 53% in 1982 to 33% in 2007.
NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: "These figures show that school children are turning their
backs on tobacco, which can only be a good thing for future generations."
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: "These figures provide a welcome and timely counterbalance to the rhetoric from some politicians which would lead us to assume that underage smoking is a growing problem."
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