A new anti-smoking advert is planned

The figures emerged with the publication of a survey by the National Centre for Social Research into smoking, drinking and drug misuse among young people.

The study targeted 12 to 15-year-olds from 1998 to 2000.

It showed that the number of regular smokers among that age group had fallen from 12% to 10%.

However, the number of youngsters who said they had drunk alcohol in the week before they were questioned rose from 19% to 21%.

Ms Deacon said: "It is encouraging to see the fall in smoking.

"This is now the lowest smoking rate recorded for this age group since measurements began in 1982."

It is disappointing that the fall in smoking levels has not been mirrored in the numbers of young people regularly drinking alcohol

Health Minister Susan Deacon

However, she admitted there was no room for complacency as the smoking rate remained constant at 13% among girls while it had fallen to 9% among boys.

A new anti-smoking advert will be unveiled next year, while an education programme is being launched aimed at deterring youngsters from starting to smoke in the first place.

But she said: "It is disappointing that the fall in smoking levels has not been mirrored in the numbers of young people regularly drinking alcohol.

"We cannot tell yet whether the rise in teenage drinking is a short-term fluctuation or part of a new trend, but these figures make our urgent action all the more relevant.

"We are working closely with Health Education Board for Scotland (Hebs) to educate young people about the dangers of excess drinking.

Wider strategy

"We are also providing funding for proof of age card pilot schemes in Glasgow and Angus.

"But what these figures do show is the need for a wider strategy."

She said young people's drinking would be a major part of a national Plan for Action on alcohol misuse.

The survey's figures suggested that drug misuse levels remained unchanged, with one in 10 reporting that they had taken drugs in the previous month.

Alcoholics Anonymous has reported a steady rise in the number of young people seeking help.

A spokesman in Edinburgh said: "I have known people as young as 15 approach us for help.

"There are more and more pressures on young people to drink alcohol and they are worried that if they don't, people will think there is something wrong with them.

"It is a growing problem and we are looking for new ways to get the dangers of alcohol across to young people."