If not, you can drink until you pass out and are at least 21 years of age, at least in California . It's not about the drinking per se, but about the jerks that think they can safely drive after those four shots. You are scrambling the issues here. The main challenge of the new millennium is if we are going to allow politicians and governments to define, plan, orchestrate, and subsidize everything we consider important in life. Part of the problem you discuss is not just about being adults and making decisions on our own.
Tobacco is just one example.
It would seem that we the citizens are caught between a sword and a wall. On one side we have politicians and bureaucrats, and on the other we have big business interests. One group wants control of our votes and our money, the other just wants money. And if you look closely, you'll see them wink at each other once in a while. Your reader comments are always welcome.