It's an article of faith that when the economy slumps people take refuge in vices like drinking, gambling and smoking. But these industries have been hit hard in the downturn. Drinking is a good example. During the 2001 recession, state tax collections from alcohol sales rose by 1.5%, as you might expect. Yet this year they will fall more than 5%, says Ernest Gross, professor of economics at Creighton University. This could be another front in the health movement — or the realization that booze (and gambling and smoking) is expensive and unnecessary.