TENS of thousands fewer Scots children are being exposed to second-hand smoke, new figures show.
The charity ASH Scotland welcomed the release of the Scottish Health Survey 2015 data, which showed a “significant” drop in the number of children breathing in cigarette smoke, from 11% to 6%.
The charity said the introduction of a law banning smoking in cars later this year would also help “focus attention” on the harm of second-hand smoke.
Research shows infants have a higher risk of cot death f they are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Children who breathe secondhand smoke can have more ear infections, coughs and colds and respiratory problems.
Those with asthma are especially sensitive to secondhand smoke, which can increase the number of asthma attacks and the attacks may be more severe, requiring trips to the hospital. 
Figures show smoking rates amongst adults have also dropped, from 22% to 21%.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of Ash Scotland said: “This is a significant drop, and good news for the Scottish Government’s target of halving children’s exposure to second-hand smoke by 2020. 
“Tens of thousands more children are now protected from breathing dangerous tobacco smoke in Scotland’s homes.
“Efforts like the Take it Right Outside campaign are clearly having an impact and informing people. 
“We all need to keep working to minimise children’s exposure to tobacco smoke, particularly in their homes. Research we’ve been involved in makes clear parents and carers want to protect children, and also shows that the effective way to do so is to take smoking right outside.
“The introduction of the law protecting children from smoking in cars later this year will also help to focus attention on the harm that tobacco smoke does.”
“But there is no room for complacency. If we want to keep this progress going, we need to see concerted action to help smokers to quit, such as media adverts to let people know about the help that’s freely available through local stop smoking services and pharmacies.”
However, the figures also show that thirds of Scottish adults were overweight or obese in 2015.
A total of 36 per cent of adults were recorded as overweight, and 29 per cent obese, while 13 per cent of children were overweight and 15 per cent were obese.
There was a slight increase in the number of children at a healthy weight, while a third of adults and a quarter of children do not get enough physical exercise.
Only a fifth of adults eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables.
The survey also revealed an increase in the levels of reported anxiety in adults, and an increase in the number of young adults reporting mental health problems.