Contrary to their reputation, fewer Scottish teenagers are smoking, drinking and - amongst boys at least - taking cannabis than they were two years ago, official figures released yesterday show.

However, the 2008 Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey does show changes in habits which may worry health experts. While the use of drink and drugs continues to decline, those who do partake are highly likely to truant or be excluded from school.

There is also disappointment that despite the rise in the minimum purchase age for cigarettes from 16 to 18 in 2007, rates of smoking among 15-year-old boys have increased.

Where alcohol is concerned, more than half of teenage drinkers reported that they drank at home and 11 per cent of 13-year-olds and 31 per cent of 15-year-olds said that they had had a drink in the past week.

However, these figures are five percentage points down on the previous survey in 2006. Overall, there has been a steady decline in teenage drinking since 2002, with consumption almost back to 1990 levels.

The number of children reporting they had never had alcohol also went up (48 per cent of 13-year-olds in 2008, up from 42 per cent in 2006). Amongst 15-year-olds, 18 per cent cent reported they had never had a drink in 2008, a rise from 16 per cent in 2006.

Compared to two years ago, fewer 15-year-old girls (78 per cent compared to 74 per cent) reported that they had ever been “really drunk”.

But those who do drink are increasingly bingeing at home on alcohol which has bought for them by friends and relatives. While supermarkets and shops overtook off-licences as a favourite source to buy alcohol, the amount teenagers obtained from people who bought it on their behalf more than doubled from 15 per cent in 1998 to 32 per cent in 2008 and is now by far the most common source.

Those who did drink got into trouble. Nearly 40 per cent of 13-year-olds and 55 per cent of 15-year-olds reported being involved in at least one of the following: arguments, fights, visits to Accident and Emergency, being seen by a doctor for an injury, being taken home by police, staying off school, vomiting, taking any drugs, or being in trouble with the police.

These events were slightly more common for girls. A quarter of 13-year-olds admitted having an argument and vomiting, compared to 40 per cent of 15-year-olds. Between 3 and 5 per cent of young people reported being having to attend hospital as a result of alcohol misuse.

More than half of all the teenagers surveyed said they were most likely to drink at home. A third of 13-year-olds and more than 40 per cent of 15-year-olds drank in the street or a park.

Children who drank were four times more likely to show abnormal conduct and be excluded from school. Boys who drank were 15 times more likely to truant frequently.

Where cigarettes were concerned, the numbers of 13 and 15-year-old girls who are regular smokers continues to decline. The proportion of pupils who reported they never smoked has gone up from 69 to 75 per cent of 13-year-olds and 47 to 51 per cent of 15-year-olds.

However, although it is illegal to sell cigarettes to children under the age of 18, 42 per cent of 13-year-old regular smokers and 57 per cent of 15-year-old regular smokers reported buying cigarettes from a shop. A significant number also bought from vending machines.

Family and peer group pressure was evident: the majority of children who smoked had parents who did, and more than a third said all or almost all their friends smoked.

The prevalence of teenagers using drugs in the month before the survey has remained stable since 2006, with the only decline amongst 13-year-old boys (down from 4 per cent to 3 per cent).

Up to 20 per cent of 15-year-olds and 5 per cent of 13-year-olds reported they had used drugs in the last year. By far the most common drug was cannabis. Only 1 per cent reported using anything else.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Health Secretary, commented: “We know that too many people continue to smoke and drink too much alcohol and this survey shows that young people are no exception. That's why the government has taken swift action to help tackle these issues.

“The continued decrease in the number of teenagers who are smoking is welcome news, as is the significant rise in the number of young people who have never smoked. However, the fact that teenagers are still smoking shows the need for action.

“We have raised the age for tobacco sales to 18 and introduced proposals to remove cigarettes from open display in shops. I believe these measures will help to further reduce smoking amongst young people.

“In terms of alcohol, I am encouraged by the fact that fewer young people say they are drinking. However we will continue to promote a zero tolerance approach to underage sales and tough action against those who buy alcohol on behalf of under age young people.”

Dr Peter Terry, Chairman of BMA Scotland called foir minimum pricing on alcohol. He said: “When alcohol is cheaper than bottled water, we have to worry about what message we are sending our children.”

Ross Finnie MSP, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, said: “This report shows that we must not assume every child spends their evenings smoking, drinking and taking drugs. But this is no time for complacency as the report throws up some serious issues.

“It shows the influence that parental behaviour has on children; 80 per cent of 13 year olds who are regular smokers have at least one parent that smokes.

“The study also revealed worrying gaps in children's understanding of the consequences of illegal drugs. For instance 24 per cent didn't realise that injecting drugs could lead to HIV.”

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