A series of biennial surveys, begun in 1982, to estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking among school children in Great Britain. The surveys are sponsored by the Department of Health, the Scottish Office Department of Health, and in some years, the Welsh Office. The report contains statistics and analysis on the prevalence of smoking among school children of secondary school age. Details are given of how children obtain their cigarettes, the influence of family and friends, exposure and attitudes to passive smoking and the effects of the health education message. Some comparisons are made with earlier surveys.