Policymakers tried to do something about it in the United States - alcohol was made illegal by a constitutional amendment (the 18th), which means that 2/3 of the legislative body had to vote for it.

Predictably, people continued to consume alcohol in less safe ways, illegal "speakeasy" bars flourished, and moonshining became a very popular occupation. NASCAR was born when bootleggers started racing the cars that they had modified to outrun the police.

Eventually, the 21st amendment was passed to repeal the 18th.