SMOKING among under 16s has dropped dramatically in the last decade according to the latest research.

The Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS), found that the rate of 15 year-olds smoking has now dropped from 29% in 1996 to 9% in 2013.

The higher rate of smoking among teenage girls has now reduced to the same level as boys and the survey found changes in the ability of cigarettes to be purchased by children.

While smoking rates among under-16s dropped, there was still a higher prevalence of smoking in deprived areas showing a link over time with smoking and poverty.

The survey asked 15 year-olds where the obtained cigarettes from and the findings suggest policies like increasing the legal purchasing age to 18, and cracking down on retailers through test purchasing is having an impact.

It found that the rate of those who bought cigarettes from a newsagent or local shop decreased from almost 90% in 1992 to 22% in 2013.

This decrease was seen sharpest in the last three years of the survey where following a steady annual decrease, the rate halved from 45% in 2010 to 22% in 2013.

Health Minister, Maureen Watt, welcomed the findings of the latest in the series of Scotland wide surveys but said there was more work needed to wipe out smoking among children completely.

She said: “It is extremely encouraging to see that the number of children who smoke has decreased so significantly in the last few years.

“I am particularly pleased to see these figures demonstrating the impact of Scottish Government policies in helping to reduce the sale of tobacco to children.”

Other adults are still however seemingly willing to buy cigarettes for children.

The survey found that 31% said they asked an adult they knew to buy cigarettes for them and 27% asked an adult they do not know to buy for them.

Ms Watt said the government has a target of a smoke free generation which is an adult smoking rate of 5% or lower by 2034.

She added: “If we are to achieve this, we need to stop children from taking up smoking in the first place. "It’s well established that the majority of smokers start their habit before they reach 18, so if we can stop people from taking it up in the first place they are far less likely to smoke later on, and are more likely to live longer and healthier lives.

“While the figures are moving in the right direction there is still work to be done – nine per cent of 15-year-olds smoking regularly is nine per cent too many, and it’s concerning that some children mistakenly believe smoking can help them to relax and cope better with life."

The survey was carried out before the expansion in the availability and popularity of e-cigarettes and a Glasgow MSP has warned that the devices are making it more likely for children to take up smoking.

John Mason, Shettleston SNP MSP, lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for tougher regulation on the sale of e-cigarettes.

He said an academic study in a journal, Tobacco Control, found young people who tried e-cigarettes who had not smoked before were three times more likely to take up traditional cigarettes

Mr Mason said: "The report findings suggest that the use of e-cigarettes by adolescents may not be without detrimental impact."

He said he was:"Very concerned that e-cigarettes may be a means by which young people are enticed into very harmful traditional smoking.”

He added that research had also suggested one in five 14 to 17-year-olds have tried or bought e-cigarettes.

The MSP asked the Parliament to note the view that “action must be taken to avoid a generation of new smokers being developed, and that the researchers have called for tougher regulations to ensure that children are unable to purchase or make use of e-cigarettes.”