The nation's alcohol consumption fell by six percent in 2009, the fourth annual drop in five years, figures released Friday showed.
British Beer and Pub Association data revealed the largest decline in drinking since 1948 with the average adult now consuming the equivalent of 89 bottles of wine annually, down from 94 last year.
The figures, calculated from government tax receipts, sit in sharp contrast with the so-called "binge Britain" culture which has been widely documented in the media.
The decline has been linked to the recent economic crisis, a similar dip was seen during the recessions in the 1970s and early 1990s, but the current fall began before the downturn, suggesting the message to drink responsibly is taking hold.
Don Shenker, chief executive of charity Alcohol Concern, warned against complacency.
"There well may be a percentage of people who are drinking less because they are aware of the health harms of alcohol, but most are probably cutting back because they arechoosing to spend their finite resources on other luxuries," he told The Telegraph.
Copyright 2010 AFP European Edition
