[beardyw]

> most children didn't smoke or drink alcohol, not because they didn't have access to it, but because of the wrath of their parents.

I think you have answered your own question. The children who need this ban most are the children of parents who don't pay attention/care what their children are doing. So the state has to do it for them.

[Larrikin]

The state should take the children from them instead of destroying the rights of adults

[pibaker]

Have a look at what's going on in the foster care system and tell me with a serious face that taking children away from parents, outside the absolutely worst cases, is actually helping the children.