Justice Cabinet Secretary Kenny MacAskill attended a European Alcohol Policy Conference in Barcelona in April 2008.
Here are his thoughts and discoveries on Spanish drinking habits and attitudes to alcohol.
"When I received an invitation to speak at the European Alcohol Policy Conference in Barcelona I knew it was a great chance to find out more about how other European countries are dealing with alcohol issues.
"A month or so later as I'm boarding my flight to Barcelona. You may be surprised to hear I'm not flying first class by the way but on a low cost airline that offered the fastest, most cost efficient option.
"I arrive in Barcelona and it's straight to the hotel for conference registration and an interview with a Catalan newspaper. After a quick photo-shoot in the hotel, Anna starts to ask me about Scotland, our issues with alcohol and the solutions we're proposing. We also cover other issues - the Scottish Government's National Conversation and my priorities for the justice portfolio - including our CashBack for communities' scheme and developing a coherent penal policy.
"After that it's onto a coach to take me to the official reception for the Alcohol conference. This takes place in the stunning Parc Guell and it's a great opportunity to admire some of the Gaudi architecture that Barcelona is famous for while speaking to other people who are attending the conference.
"As the reception draws to a close, I go to the centre of the city. It was the perfect chance to observe another culture and prepare for the next day. As I stroll through the heart of Barcelona in the evening the difference to Glasgow or Edinburgh is striking. Not the fact that it's warm or the absence of rain - it's the lack of young people obviously drunk.
"It's a refreshing change to see groups walking casually, enjoying themselves without being drunk and out of control. It's also a stark reminder of the problems that we in Scotland face as we try to change the culture around alcohol in Scotland.
"I went into a café bar before dinner and noticed there was low and no alcohol beer displayed prominently. I decided to try it and wasn't surprised to find that I enjoyed it - although I do think I could have spotted the difference in a taste test. I've tried low alcohol beer before in the states and I enjoyed it. It was around 2 per cent and I'd happily drink that if we could buy it in Scotland. I know there are brewers working on developing high quality, low alcohol beer and I hope we can see them in Scottish pubs soon.
"I have to say, the differences went further than the strength of beer available. People go out for dinner later, restaurants open around 9 and are filling up nicely around 10. As I sat eating my food I notice there are lots of groups enjoying a glass or two of wine with their meal.
"They were drinking responsibly and there was plenty of water on the tables. They are also drinking much more slowly than is the norm in Scotland - I find myself doing the same.
"As we leave the restaurant, heading towards the Barri Gotic I notice lots of people out wandering the streets, soaking up the atmosphere, browsing in shop windows or sitting in cafes watching passersby while chatting to friends. Entering a bar, again I notice the atmosphere is different to what I've become used to in Scotland. There's distinct lack of happy hours, buy one get one free, buy two glasses of wine and get the rest of the bottle free type deals. People expect to pay a fair price for their drink. Now, it's back to the hotel as I have an early start in the morning.
"After a quick breakfast a car picks me up and we travel to the Catalan Ministry of Justice for a meeting with my opposite number Montserrat Tura i Camafreita at her office. We discuss a number of issues of justice policy, including how we deal with prisoners, which drugs are particular issues and how to deal with them as well as tackling the problem of youth crime. After a very constructive meeting it's back in the car to the Alcohol Policy Conference.
"I take my place at the discussion table and we kick off. I explain to other Ministers about work in Scotland - bringing in Separate Display Areas for Alcohol, take action to ban irresponsible promotions in off-sales and the idea of introducing a "polluter pays" levy to deal with the costs of alcohol misuse.
"Other Ministers that were involved had some ideas that I thought interesting. For example Spain have developed a model to help young drinkers that means they get the help and support they need in the family setting.
"I also found the work they have been doing with driving schools to help raise awareness of drink driving levels and the dangers of drink driving particularly interesting. It could also become extremely relevant given our current drive to get the UK Government to reduce our limit to that of the vast majority of EU states.
"The Swedish Minister also made some very valid points about cross-border issues affecting the ability of individual countries ability to act and highlighted the need and importance for EU cooperation on alcohol action.
"As I headed off to the official Ministerial lunch pondering what I'd found out during the trip, I was glad I'd taken the time out to join in the conference. It certainly gave me food for thought as we work on Scotland's longer term strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse.
"It also confirmed that it's not the drink, it is how we in Scotland are drinking it - and that's what we all need to work together to change. At the moment we are all drinking too much and need to think about how much we drink and take responsibility for making sure it's within sensible drinking guidelines levels.
"I know we're not going to make Scotland like Catalonia. I also know that the argument about drinking to much because we're a northern nation is also false - I've been to Canada which is also cold and dark for much of the year and they don't have a bevy culture. That's why I believe we can learn something from other nations about their attitude to alcohol."
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