The current selling of betelnut and chewing in public places within Port Moresby city limits is illegal.
That is the warning issued today from National Capital District deputy city manager social service Lulu Ted.
Ted said betelnut can only be sold in designated areas.
The identified trade and market locations are Waikele Market at Gerehu Stage 6, Six-Mile, Saraka Market, Nine-Mile Market, Koki and Epen’s wholesale at Tete Settlement, Gerehu.
“The commission also wish to further remind the general public that chewing and selling of betelnut in public places such as bus stops, public transport systems, government officers, schools, medical centres, sporting facilities and other places that involve public gathering with the city are prohibitive,” Ted said.
In 2012 National Capital District Commission imposed a blanket ban on the importation of betelnut into the city, and restricting how much a consumer can purchase for consumption.
But in the last two months, the city council partly lifted the ban allowing betelnut to be brought in by road, air or sea but must be sold at designated areas.
NCDC is targeting consumers who chew in public places but did not impose the fines because of its validity.
NCDC Governor Powes Parkop said: “NCDC is looking at amending the NCDC Betelnut Control Law (2013) to make it relevant.
He added that the ban have had a positive impact on changing the city image and also residents’ mindset.
“Critics can say it is a total failure but the city is much cleaner than 2008, 2009 or 2013,” Parkop said.
“The result is very positive, I never said in the beginning that we will have a 100 per cent success but said we have gone a journey because we are dealing with human behaviour and it will take time to change.”