You might think that smoking is a done issue, but it is still the most important cause of preventable death and health inequalities in Scotland.

We have had great success in reducing smoking in young people over the last few years, but it is still taken up, and particularly by disadvantaged young people.

There is not much evidence that we have really managed to reduce inequalities in smoking so if you look at those taking it up it tends to be those from more disadvantaged backgrounds whose parents are also more likely to smoke so they are growing up in a world where smoking is more common.

Some young people still think smoking is something they want to try and continue to do and a lot of it is around smoking with peers so it is something that pupils at break times and after school will do together in groups.

For some young people smoking still has that cool rebellious image, but also it is about something they do to fit in with other young people who they want to hang out with or who they aspire to.

It soon becomes something that moves on from that more social aspect as the nicotine addiction starts to kick in even after just one or two cigarettes a day.

They then start to use smoking to deal with feelings when they are down or bored or stressed or angry so it still has that functional value when they are on your own or with their mates.

The young people most likely to smoke are also more likely to drink alcohol or smoking cannabis.

If pupils are smoking because they see it as rebellious then they are unlikely to respond to punishment. They need support.

Amanda Amos is Professor of Health Promotion at Edinburgh University