Alcohol Prohibition “Worked,” According To DEA Report, Released With Police Union Lobby

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

9. I don't find it unreasonable to say that prohibition lowered overall consumption...

I think in the prohibition-era, like you stated, a great many people (possibly even a majority) didn't stop drinking one bit... they just did it more discreetly. However it would be foolish to think a large number people didn't at least drink on fewer occasions because of the legal inconvenience... or that perhaps a small percentage of very casual drinkers didn't bother with the hassle at all after it was illegal. And then there's the economics to be considered; bootleg products often carry a premium price due to the risk involved in manufactre/distribution so it's only logical that the new higher price of bootleg alcohol would see a diminished demand (if you charge more for something, fewer people will buy it).

You have to remember that there alot of people who try not to break the law becaue they wish to be considered law abiding. For people that didn't really care about booze one way or another, they may be inclined to stop consuming to avoid risk of arrest. And then you have to consider that many people only drink socially - if alcohol consuption must now be done in private they'll likely drink ALOT less because it's not their style to drink bathtub gin at home with the doors locked.

Me? I love beer. I've got a about 40+ pints in the cellar aging that I brewed myself. Prohibition would not stop me from drinking beer AT ALL since I make it myself. On the other hand, I'm pretty neutral about wine and liquor and only have some in rare social situations. If alcohol was made illegal tomorrow, I'd probably stop drinking wine and liquor altogether. By definition, prohibition would have lowered my overall consuption of alcoholic drinks.