It's only tolerated as a "legal" drug because there is so much vested economic interest both from the brewery owners ( either large multi-nationals or powerful, often titled, individuals ), retailers and from HMC&E. A recently qualified doctor that I know, having spent several months in his first hospital position, made the observation; " If it were possible to eradicate fags and booze, we could close half of the wards." Which IMHO, fully justifies the government in taxing these "products" out of existence ... somebody has to pay for the treatment; it might as well be the over-indulgent idiots who require the treatment?