Thousands more Scots are trying to quit smoking, "encouraging" figures showed today.

Annual statistics highlighted an increase from 44,019 to 50,121 in attempts to kick the habit.

More than one third of those trying to stop said they had not smoked "even a puff" two weeks later - but this success rate drops to 18% after three months.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "Many people find stopping smoking hard but it's also the single biggest thing anyone can do to improve their health.

"So it's really encouraging that so many people are taking advantage of NHS smoking cessation services and trying to quit."

Almost 5% of attempts were made through NHS smoking cessation services - slightly more than the previous year - while almost half, 44%, where made through pharmacies.

Ms Robison said smokers are more likely to quit by using NHS services.

"Not everyone succeeds at their first attempt but cessation services are there to support them as they become a non-smoker and you're four times more likely to succeed if you use cessation services," she said.

"We're also committed to stopping people, particularly young people, from starting to smoke in the first place."

The Scottish Government is trying to ban cigarette vending machines and force shops to hide tobacco displays.

The latest figures are based on 2008 data, compared with the previous year.