Digression:
Quote:
Originally Posted by equanimus
Not quite. There are speed limits in freeways, or any road for that matter, to avoid potential accidents that could be caused by rash driving, not for the welfare of the person who's driving fast. (And, I do believe that regulations -- whatever that exist -- would be implemented much more strictly if drinking gave way to public nuisance in any context.)
A similar scenario would be considering suicide as crime. But, it'd be a good analogy only if drinking is considered to be as "suicidal" as, well, suicide.
On the speed-limit analogy, it's not just for the safety of "others" but the rule is also to safeguard the one driving, as there is a lot of cost to the society in case there's an accident (i.e. even when no one else is hurt or no other property is damaged but just the driver). That's why you'll notice tickets being given at even 12 mid night in freeways when there're no other vehicles for many miles. And it's enforced more strictly in times of snow etc.
End-digression
Alcohol costs similarly - not just to the one drinking, but if the person gets sick, it becomes a big "social" cost, including monetary :-( So it's not purely suicidal:-) Remember, the Govt. itself admits that madhu is "kEdu" not just for individual but for family and the country! (""மது நாட்டுக்கு, வீட்டுக்கு, உயிருக்கு கேடு" )
