It is not that during the time when Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H was living in Makkah and Madinah there were no physicians or doctors, but there was no report that those Tabeebs talked about or prohibited the consumption of alcohol. The Prophet solely declared it haraam based on his revelational knowledge.
Today medical science has explained everything that how and why alcohol and cigarette are injurious to health and must be avoided. If people do not listen to a medical doctor they won't listen to any preacher or activist. You may call these people 'Parhay likhay jahil' but there is no solution except that you keep them convincing through medical presentations and media campaign.
So one must support freedom of choice. In this age of IT how can you force people when they might know better than you.
But like you can't smoke in public places, you can't drink if it affects other's life.