Associate Justice Minister Lianne Dalziel is learning first
hand how a country with a reputation for heavy drinking is
handling its alcohol problems.
Ms Dalziel is in Edinburgh, where she met Justice Secretary
Kenny MacAskill today to discuss proposals which include
minimum pricing, banning irresponsible promotions and
introducing a social responsibility fee.
Mr MacAskill said he was pleased to bring her up to speed.
"Scotland has an unenviable reputation as a hard drinking
nation that's proud to be able to drink others under the
table," he said in a joint statement.
"For many years this has been seen as a source of pride to
many Scots.
"We are now beginning to start a different international
reputation on alcohol."
He said Scotland had admitted it had a problem with alcohol
misuse, and was taking "bold action" to tackle it.
Ms Dalziel said New Zealand faced similar challenges, and
doing nothing was not an option.
"I will be returning to New Zealand with some good ideas to
assist in our law reform work," she said.
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