The Queensland Health data, due to be released on Wednesday, shows since 2010 the rate of men aged between 18 and 29 who consumed alcohol at risky levels had decreased by 31 per cent.

Meanwhile, the prevalence of men 65 years and older drinking excessively rose by 32 per cent.

Queensland Health chief psychiatrist and chief alcohol officer John Reilly said while the rates of risky drinking did not change between 2010 and 2018, young men were bucking the trend.

“While a number of things may be influencing this trend, it indicates that the preventive health messages around alcohol are getting through to this generation of men,” he said.

Dr Reilly said drinking among young adults overall had been on the decline since 2010, with this group reducing the number of drinks they consumed on any drinking day from 3.7 drinks to 3.3 drinks.

“This was due particularly to young males who decreased their drinks on a drinking day from 4.4 drinks in 2010 to 3.9,” he said.

Despite the promising downward trend in young men’s consumption, Dr Reilly said the group was still more likely than others to drink excessively.

“One in five adult Queenslanders is drinking at risky levels – and three-quarters of those are males,” he said.

Health Minister Steven Miles said it was great to see young Queensland men changing their relationship with alcohol.

“Our government is committed to changing Queensland’s binge drinking culture and to improving access to drug treatment and support services for Queenslanders who need them,” he said.

“We are making good progress towards our goals but there is still more work to be done.”

The Health of Queenslanders 2018 report will be released on Wednesday.