More than 80% of Scots back a ban on smoking outside schools to protect children's health, a survey indicates.
Charity partnership Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland surveyed 1,002 adults in Scotland and found four in five (81.1%) want smoking outside the school gates to be prohibited.
The charity said passive smoking, while harmful to all, is particularly dangerous for babies and children as their lungs are still growing.
It said youngsters breathing in other people's smoke could face slowing lung growth and an increased risk of developing asthma.
The charity is now calling for Scotland to follow Wales in banning smoking around areas where children and young people spend their time, such as school grounds and play areas.
Joseph Carter, head of Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: "To reach Scotland's smoke-free target of less than 5% of adults smoking by 2034, we need to stop normalising smoking around children.
"Passive smoking not only has detrimental health effects on children's lungs, but it also increases the likelihood that they too will become smokers later in life.
"It is vital that we protect the next generation's lungs from the effects of smoke."
He added: "That is why we are calling for the new Government to commit to banning smoking around schools and playgrounds."
Alexander Stewart, Scottish Conservative MSP and Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland's smoking cessation champion, said the survey results come as no surprise.
He said he is wholeheartedly behind a ban, adding: "Children look up to adults, especially parents, relatives or carers and if they smoke, they run the risk of allowing their children to consider the habit as a 'normal' thing to pursue.
