As a millennial, I’ve noticed this trend. We partied hard in our teens and college years, and then the habit became more “classy”. In our 20s it was all breweries, wineries and brunch. We drank because it tasted good. Then in our thirties with kids and all we realized how much alcohol makes us feel like crap and slows us down. So people cut down significantly on drinking. I think Gen Z, just skipped to the ‘it makes us feel crappy’ part. Booze is way less of a thing than it used to be.
Mostly not true.
Go to any college campus. Alcohol is still central to the social lives of most college kids. This past spring I went on a spring break with my HS senior, 15 other seniors, and all their parents to cancun. These kids, except one, we're boozing HARD [ drinking age 18, and it was an all inclusive resort. So all it is prepaid]. My kid was by far second most restrained. The other 14 drank way more than I ever did in HS.
I HIGHLY doubt this is an outlier group.
Now sure, On average, maybe this generation drinks a little less. But I think you are a greatly exaggerating the trend.
But they'll be "over it" and move on from drinking by the time they're 21