Poll: Alaska teens curbing risky behaviors

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The results of a survey of Alaskan teens indicate alcohol consumption and cigarette use are down among the state's teens.

The Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported Friday the 2009 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey found 5 percent of respondents admitted smoking a cigarette on at least 20 of the previous 30 days. A similar survey in 1995 found 21 percent of Alaskan teens surveyed admitted smoking at that level.

The 2009 survey of 1,400 students at 43 Alaska high schools also found 22 percent of respondents admitted consuming at least five alcoholic beverages within a period of a few hours at some point in the previous month. The 1995 survey found 31 percent admitted such drinking behavior.

The Daily News said 44 percent of respondents in the 2009 survey, whose polling dates and margin of error were not reported, admitted they have had sex. Such findings were consistent will previously survey findings.