A cross-sectional study of 661 9th grade pupils in Bergen municipality was conducted in November 1992. The pupils completed an anonymous questionnaire on their smoking habits. 25% of the girls and 16% of the boys reported smoking daily. Among the daily smokers, the average daily consumption of cigarettes was seven for both sexes. Most of the experimenting with cigarettes took place from the 6th to the 8th grade. Most youngsters tried their first cigarette when outdoors with friends. 27% of the regular smokers reported smoking at home, and 40% at school. In spite of legislation banning the sale of cigarettes to persons below the age of 16 years, 75% of the smokers bought the tobacco themselves.