More U.S. teens smoke pot than cigarettes

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ATLANTA, June 9 (UPI) -- Marijuana use is more common among U.S. high school students than cigarette smoking -- 23 percent to 18 percent, federal officials say.

The 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta found U.S. teen cigarette use dropped from 19 percent in 2009 to 18 percent in 2011.

Current marijuana use increased from 21 percent in 2009 to 23 percent in 2011 -- although that is down from 27 percent in 1999.

The survey is one of three U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-sponsored surveys that provide data on substance abuse among youth nationally.

The survey found 1-in-6 teens had been bullied through e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, Web sites or texting during the past 12 months. Last year was the first year the survey included questions about bullying via electronic media.