National surveys of smoking habits in secondary school children have been carried out since the early 1980s. In 1984, 13% of children in England, 11% in Wales and 16% in Scotland were regular smokers. A further 7-9% were occasional smokers. The most recent data suggest similar levels in England and Wales and a slightly lower prevalence in Scotland. The proportion of children who have never tried smoking has increased in England and Scotland, and decreased slightly in Wales.