STUDY: FEWER TEENS SMOKING, DRINKING

SAN FRANCISCO - The percentage of teenagers smoking cigarettes and
drinking alcohol reached the lowest point in almost two decades since
an annual government-funded survey started interviewing kids about
their habits.

Still, the 2008 survey found that at least one in eight high school
seniors reported abusing prescription painkillers and stimulants
obtained from friends, relatives or schoolmates. Researchers also said
a decade-long decline in marijuana use may be leveling off and
detected a softening in teens' anti-marijuana attitudes.

The percentage of teenagers smoking cigarettes has declined steadily
since 1997, with similar trends seen in the use of alcohol and most
illegal drugs. The numbers suggest that anti-smoking campaigns have
been successful, said Nora Volkow, the director of the National
Institute on Drug Abuse.

"Isn't that fantastic," Volkow said in a telephone interview.