The alcohol industry's lobbying arm says perception is far from reality when it comes to underage drinking

The Alcohol Beverages Council says fewer young people are drinking now than ever before.

But nearly half of the country thinks things are going in the opposite direction.

It says we now drink less than Australians, the British, Americans and people in many European countries.

Executive Director Bridget MacDonald says times have changed.

She says younger people are making better decisions around alcohol and are drinking much later, causing a shift downwards.