Scotland has taken a "momentous step" towards banning smacking, as MSPs overwhelmingly approved the general principles of new legislation to achieve this.
Children's campaigners welcomed the vote in Holyrood, to approve Green MSP John Finnie's Bill by 80 votes to 29, although SNP MSPs Christine Grahame and Richard Lyle abstained.
Campaigners against the move have previously warned that Police Scotland face investigating thousands of cases against parents if a ban on smacking is brought in.
Critics have said research from Wales shows that if the defence of reasonable chastisement is removed there could be an estimated 1,370 smacking allegations recorded in the first five years.
Police Scotland has previously warned MSPs that a smacking ban could result in increased costs to the force as officers spend more time investigating allegations against parents.
But Mr Finnie insisted it was "time for action" as he said: "A growing body of international evidence shows that physical punishment of children is harmful to their development and not an effective means of discipline."
He continued: "We often in Scotland talk about zero tolerance for domestic abuse and violence, but we allow the use of physical punishment for children.
"This sends a message to our children that hitting someone is a way of resolving a dispute, or if you don't like their behaviour."
Under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, Scottish law currently prohibits parents from shaking their child, striking their head and from using an "implement" during punishment.
But defences of "reasonable chastisement" or "justifiable assault" can be used in court by parents who physically punish their children.
Courts determine whether the punishment is "reasonable" or "justifiable" based on factors such as nature of the punishment inflicted, the circumstances, the physical and mental effect on the child and the child's age.
The new Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill will prohibit the physical punishment of children by parents and others caring for or in charge of children.
It will give children equal protection from assault by abolishing the existing defences that parents can use to justify the use of physical force to discipline a child.
As the proposal was debated Mr Finnie likened the legislation, which would remove the existing defence of "justifiable assault" from Scots law, to measures such as the smoking ban and the outlawing of drink-driving.
In such issues legislative change had been needed before there was a cultural shift, the Green MSP said.
He stated: "I firmly believe that as with the smoking ban we will see public opinion change over time.
"As Bruce Adamson, Scotland's children and young people's commissioner told the committee 'you need legislation to drive the cultural change'.
"In that regard this issue could be seen in the same way as seatbelts in cars, drink driving and smoking in pubs.
"On such issues you need to lead with the legislation in order to deliver the cultural change."
Tory MSP Oliver Mundell spoke out against the proposals, saying that "however well-meaning" the Bill was it was "an assault on family life".
The Conservative said: "The fundamental problem is that this Bill does more harm than good and it doesn't live up to its name.
"Let me be clear, violence against children is wrong.
"On that point I'd hope we could all agree.
"However, that's where I depart company from other members who speak enthusiastically in support of this proposal.
"Because when it comes to the proportionality of subjecting good parents to criminalisation, and the suggestion that it is justified and reasonable for the state to intervene in family life where child welfare is not at risk, I cannot agree."
Mary Glasgow, the chief executive of the charity Children 1st, said: "Today, MSPs have taken a momentous step towards Scotland becoming the first UK country to end physical punishment of children.
"The overwhelming majority in favour of the Bill at Holyrood shows politicians want what we all want for our children, for them to grow up feeling loved, safe and happy, in the arms of their family."
Matt Forde, national head of service for NSPCC Scotland said: "It is simply wrong that children do not have the same protection from assault as adults.
"Rectifying this unfair legal loophole is a common-sense step, which would bring Scotland into line with dozens of other countries across the world.
"The Scottish Parliament has listened to the evidence and acted in the best interests of young people.
"Physical punishment is harmful to children and its days are rightly numbered."
The police previously raised concerns that the ban could interfere with family life.
A police document said: “Police Scotland envisages that the repeal of the defence provided by Section 51 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 will result in an increase in reporting.
"This will have potential cost/resource implications for Police Scotland and partner agencies.”
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