Luganville Municipal Council has stopped the sale and consumption of betel nut in public areas across Luganville, including the town’s main market, as part of efforts to keep the town clean and safe.

Town Clerk of Luganville Municipal Council, Reynold Surmat, said the Council developed a by-law in 2025 to prohibit the sale and consumption of betel nut in public places within Luganville.

The decision follows concerns raised on social media this week about the sale of betel nut at the Luganville Main Market.

Mr Surmat said the Council has already addressed the matter and removed betel nut from the municipal market.

He said announcements were also made to market vendors to inform them that the Council had decided to stop the sale of betel nut at the main market and other publicly accessible areas in Luganville.

“Council has already attended to this matter and removed betel nut from the Luganville municipal market. At the same time, an announcement was made to the mothers at the market to inform them that Council has made a decision to stop the sale of betel nut at the main market and other public places that people can access in Luganville town.”

By-law awaiting official gazettement

Mr Surmat said the by-law has already been submitted to the Office of the Attorney General and the Council is waiting for it to be officially gazetted.

“The submission of the by-law has already been made to the Office of the Attorney General, and Luganville Municipal Council is waiting for it to be officially gazetted. Once the official gazette for the betel nut by-law is issued, Council will fully enforce it.”

He said the Council has decided that the sale and consumption of betel nut in public places will no longer be allowed, despite the by-law still awaiting gazettement.

“We are implementing this decision while we wait for the gazettement of the by-law, so there will be no sale of betel nut at the main market or in public places in Luganville.”

Mr Surmat said the Council is working to keep Luganville clean and safe so residents and visitors can enjoy a clean and welcoming environment.

The Council’s decision applies to the main municipal market and other public places that are accessible to people throughout Luganville.