A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that today's teens are less likely to say that they have ever taken an alcoholic drink, smoked a cigarette, or have had sex in their lifetime, the Los Angeles Times reported June 9.

The study found that 74 percent of high-school students said that they had ever consumed alcohol, compared to 82 percent in 1981. Researchers also found that 54 percent of students reported having tried cigarettes, down from 70 percent in 1991. Forty-seven percent of students said they had had sex, down from 54 percent 15 years ago.

However, lifetime use of marijuana rose from 31 percent to 38 percent, and steroid use increased from 2 percent to 4 percent.

"The new report highlights some very good news," said the CDC's Howell Wechsler. "We're delighted to see some progress."

About 14,000 students took part in the survey.