The likely scenario is that they will move on to address other social issues. The cost of road trauma is already reducing rapidly in Australia because it is an issue that is ideal to tackle with technology and one that the government gleefully derives a great deal of revenue from, in the form of traffic fines. The traumatic TAC ads on television are another example of Government action in this area. Tackling drug abuse is very hard, because it is underground and highly profitable. By a process of elimination, excessive alcohol consumption is the likely next big target.
Money is involved.
My years studying law at Melbourne Uni also lead me to conclude that the same legal precedents that are being established in the smoking arena are likely to be persuasive when applied to alcohol. The argument that our governments need the revenue from alcohol taxes and are unlikely to bite the hand that feeds them is not very persuasive. Our State Governments don't seem hesitant to enforce drink driving laws, much to the detriment of the pub industry, and I don't think they'll think twice about introducing legislation that will hurt the hospitality industry if they think it will bring about a wider community benefit. I guess the best way to deal with the future would be to structure your business to be able to prosper without any profit from alcohol sales, then you'll be safe, no matter what happens. I'm going to stockpile my favourite wines while I can still afford them.