Comment by vintermann

> I mean, states & countries that have completely state-run liquor stores still have alcoholism and serious alcohol problems though

They have less of it. Reducing access and increasing price reduces consumption, as any economist would expect.

The main problem with government monopolies of this sort is that they usually lack democratic legitimacy (i.e. would be voted away in a single issue vote) are under constant PR attack from people who profit from the regulated product. Leading to concessions such as the Norwegian monopoly being run as a for-profit corporation.

> If 'removing the profit structure' worked magically, more countries would do it.

No they wouldn't, for the obvious reason: those who profit from it have a voice, and are better organized than the ones who suffer from it (many who are addicts and want easy access anyway).