July 25, 2011 - The perception among teenagers and young adults that heavy cigarette smoking is a high-risk activity has declined in many states, according to a study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The perceived risks of smoking one or more packs of cigarettes a day dropped between 2007 and 2009 in 14 states for youths aged 12 to 17, and in 31 states among those aged 18 to 25. Perceived risks also dropped in nine states among those 26 and older. “Data like these give states the information they can use to target their prevention and treatment activities for the greatest benefit to their residents,” said SAMHSA administrator Pamela Hyde.

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