Alcohol consumption frequency rates have declined significantly among youth in eighth, tenth and 12th grades primarily due to effective industry self regulation, according to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) study conducted by the University of Michigan.

The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, revealed that alcohol consumption prevalence rates have decreased among eighth, tenth and 12th graders, continuing a more than 20-year downward trend in these statistics.

UK-based spirits, beer and wine producer Diageo has urged the community to fight together against underage drinking as population-based control theories failed to prove once again.

Commenting on the study report, Diageo senior vice president Jon Pageler said these figures showing underage drinking at historic lows are great news and evidence of what can be achieved when the alcohol industry, parents, teachers, law enforcement, and government policy makers work together for a common cause.

"The industry, through partnerships with government and communities, has been working tirelessly to fight underage drinking, and these findings are proof that industry efforts and self-regulation are working," Pageler added.

The study noted that alcohol drinking among teens has significantly declined over roughly the past two decades and will continue to fall in 2013.

As per the study, more than seven out of ten eighth graders reported non consumption of alcohol, which is down 60% from 70% in 1991 to 28% in 2013.

"It is critical that those of us fighting underage drinking focus on what is proven to work, and are not distracted by misguided advocacy groups who endorse ineffective population-based controls," Pageler concluded.