Prohibitionist

A prohibitionist is a person who advocates for the prohibition or banning of a particular substance, activity, or behavior. The term is often used in moral, religious, or public health contexts and is most commonly associated with efforts to curb alcohol consumption or other vices. Some prohibitionists seek complete bans, while others support restrictive regulations, licensing, or age limits.

Historically, prohibitionists played a central role in the temperance movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the United States, such advocacy contributed to national prohibition from 1920 to 1933, enacted through the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act and enforced by federal and state authorities. Similar movements arose in other countries, varying in scope and duration.

Prohibitionists have organized around advocacy groups, political lobbying, moral suasion, and public campaigns. Notable organizations associated with historical prohibition efforts include temperance and anti-saloon groups, which worked to influence legislation, education, and social norms.

Critics of prohibitionist policies point to unintended consequences such as the growth of illicit markets, increased crime and corruption, enforcement challenges, and the erosion of personal liberties or tax revenue. The experience of implemented prohibitions often led to repeal, reform, or shifts toward stricter regulation rather than outright bans.

In contemporary discourse, the term remains applicable to advocates of bans on illegal drugs, gambling, prostitution, or other activities, as well as to those who argue for stricter regulatory approaches. The label is widely used in discussions of public policy, public health, morality, and individual rights.