Brits consumed 3.3% less alcohol last year than in 2011, according to figures released today.

Trade body the British Beer & Pub Association, which has compiled the new data based on HMRC alcohol tax returns, said alcohol consumption per head had fallen 16% since 2004. Average consumption had now dropped below eight litres per head for the first time since 1998, it added.

The figures have prompted the Wine & Spirit Trade Association to call for the government to drop its plans to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol. The WSTA said the 3.3% decline in consumption recorded in 2012 was the same decrease minimum pricing was predicted to achieve in its first year.

“The Government needs to look hard at the facts and rethink its plans to set a minimum unit price for alcohol,” said WSTA chief executive Miles Beale. “This is real evidence of a fall in consumption in one year equivalent to what the Government’s minimum unit pricing plans were predicted to achieve, but without the time, cost and pain.”

The BBPA figures have been released days after a group of 70 medical colleges and health bodies called for a minimum alcohol price per unit of 50p. The Alcohol Health Alliance also urged for other measures, including stark warnings on packaging, and a lower drink-drive limit, claiming the move was necessary to save thousands of lives a year.

Speaking today (4 March), British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said it was important that discussion on alcohol misuse was properly informed. “While alcohol misuse remains a problem for a minority that we must all work to tackle, it is also important that the debate is fully informed by the latest facts on levels of consumption.”