TENS of thousands fewer Scots children are being exposed to second-hand smoke, according to the latest Scottish Health Survey.

The charity ASH Scotland welcomed the new 2015 data, which showed a “significant” drop in the number of children breathing in cigarette smoke, from 11 per cent to six per cent.

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. The Take it Right Outside campaign which was launched by the Scottish Government in 2014 aimed to reduce the rate to six per cent by 2020.

Research shows babies have a higher risk of cot death if they are exposed to second-hand smoke and harmful chemicals can linger for up to five hours.

It is estimated that a reduction to six per cent exposure from the 12 per cent in 2012 could save around 50,000 children from having to breathe second-hand smoke.

Figures show smoking rates among adults have also dropped, from 22 per cent to 21 per cent.

Ash Scotland chief executive Sheila Duffy, said: “This is a sig- nificant 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 research also found numbers of Scots using e-cigarettes have “increased significantly”, with seven per cent of people using the devices – up from five per cent in 2014.

Levels of “vaping” were highest among younger adults, with 22 per cent to 26 per cent of those aged 16 to 34 having tried e-cigarettes at some point, compared to four per cent to 10 per cent for those aged 65 and above.

The Scottish Health Survey is commissioned by the Scottish Government to give reliable infor- mation on health and related factors.

Other other key findings include a rise in the proportion of healthy- weight boys for the fourth year running to 73 per cent – the highest level since reporting of data began in 1998. For girls, the level has risen to 70 per cent. However, the figures show adults’ average waistlines are about 3cm (1.1in) larger than they were 12 years ago. About two-thirds (65 per cent) of adults were classed as being overweight last year, including 29 per cent who are obese, with the data showing little change since 2008.

Adults eat on average 3.1 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, with 21 per cent meeting five-a-day guidelines.

Just under two thirds (63 per cent) of adults, and just under three-quarters (73 per cent) of children, met the physical activity guidelines, however, there was an increase in the levels of reported anxiety in adults, and an increase in the number of young adults reporting mental health problems.

The proportion of adults drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week is 26 per cent. This is the new low-risk drinking guideline for both men and women

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: “It’s tremendous news that we’ve seen such a dramatic reduction in the number of children exposed to second-hand smoke in the home – meeting our target five years ahead of time. Elsewhere in the health survey I’m pleased to see increases in the proportion of children at healthy weight. Also it is encouraging to see a continued decrease in the smoking rate.

“However, I recognise we have much more work to do to improve Scotland’s public health. Many of these indicators are static, or not improving as quickly as we want.

This government is committed to bringing forward new strategies for obesity, mental health, oral health and alcohol.”