Milan, you wrote: 

"...Alcohol is very cheap in this country,taxes on alcohol  are negligible and education about alcohol is supressed by alcohol industry...."

Cheaper in the US than in some foreign countries, perhaps, but I would hardly call it low taxed or cheap in comparison its product cost.

Back when I was on active duty, one of my most amazing discoveries was that a half gallon of rum, made in the US and selling here for 9 bucks or more, could be shipped halfway around the world to places like Diego Garcia and sold in a military base exchange for under 3 dollars.  And, no, it was not being subsidized - the exchange was still making a small profit on each sale.  (Due to the lack of some taxes, alcohol has always been cheaper on military bases.  Now, however, the exchanges are required to sell booze for at at least 90% or 95% of the rate in the local community.   The glamorization of alchol in the military of earlier eras has wisely been corrected - but now they have gone almost too far in the OTHER direction IMO, with a virtual deamonization of drinking.)

Here in my area we have a upscale local steak house (not a Ruth's Cris, but certainly an equivalent to Outback in quality and price).  It is run by a nice Greek gentleman whom I got to know.  He told me that his alcohol sales - drinks and wine - regularly accounts for his ENTIRE profit, as well as ALL of his taxes paid.   The steaks and all the other food accessories are virtually a "loss leader" for his restaurant.  I suspect that is common in the restaurant business. 

Milan, check out a bottle of good merlot at your local upscale restaruant, and compare the price to what you pay at Total Wine - and the Total Wine folks arn't losing any money on it either ;-)   Also check your own local government's budget; you might be surprised to find out how many public services are being funded by the taxes at all levels (and there are many) paid on beer, wine, and hard liquor.

Education about alcohol being "supressed"?  You can scarcely turn on a television or open a magazine without being told about alcohol's harmful (potentially harmful) affects - something I see as a good thing BTW.  Back when I was younger, the drinking age was 18 (a highly sensible policy, since that was also the age to vote or serve and possibly die in the military.  An adult for one thing should be an adult for all IMO.)  Now the drinking age is 21 nationwide, and some politician - it was a Democrat of course  (Barbara Boxer I think) opined a couple of years back that she though it would be nice to raise it to 24 or 25 (!).  Parents are held liable if their teenager drinks at home and then drives - which is how it should be.  But in today's world, the authorities are out there trying to convince parents they are comitting a mortal sin and likely face arrest if they give their 19 or 20 year old son or daughter a glass of Chardonney with a good seafood dinner in their own home.  Ridiculous.

My wife is asthmatic and highly allergic to tobacco smoke - we have to be careful whenever we go out.  We have never smoked, and I am fully aware of its harmful effects.  However, I have long been wary of the constant anti-tobacco campaigns that have the objective, I believe, of eventually banning all smoking, because when the prohibitionists are finished with the smokers, I suspect they just may decide to launch another campaign to ban alcohol - their failure of a century ago notwithstanding.

Alcohol, used responsibly, can be one of life's finer pleasures IMO.  Could we possibly have a little balance here, mixed with a sensible amount of (alien concept) personal responsibility?

MWL