Research has been conducted regarding why teens engage in smoking and other deviant behaviors. the most important factor in statistically predicting whether a teen will take up a particular deviant behavior is the presence or absence of peers who also engage in that behavior. this is probably because the other teens are

As agents of socialization

Explanation:

The agent of socialization is basically refers to the school, mass media, family and the peers in which the the person formed their own personality by using the socialization process.

The family is one of the important socialization agent as the parents are basically provide the various types of social skills to their children.

According to the give situation, the other teens are basically acting as the agent of the socialization as it basically refers to the interaction process and it include values, beliefs and the habits.

Therefore, As agent of socialization is the correct answer.

its d i know cause i've been googling it

answer; continuous;