Vox pop, should betel nut be banned?

Vox Pop WORD ON THE STREET

BY MARY ASEARI

Should betel nut be banned in Port Moresby because it can cause cancer and is a stain on the city?

DAVID SOLOMON

52, mechanic, Port Moresby The government should ban betel nut in Port Moresby because it causes a lot of rubbish and illnesses, such as mouth cancer. The government should, however, build factories in provinces where betel nut is grown so that people can travel to those places to purchase betel nut for the sole purpose of culture-related activities such as bride price ceremonies. SHIRLEY MOLE

24, scientific officer, Waigani, Port Moresby As much as we love betel nut, it causes great impact to the environment and human health. I believe it should be banned for the good of PNG’s future, despite it providing economic benefit to the vendors.

RABONI OAHUI

39, seamstress, Tokarara, Port Moresby Betel nut should not be banned in Port Moresby because 80% of the population in Port Moresby chews, while 60% of the population relies on betel nut sales as a form of income. If chewers can dispose of their rubbish in the bins provided by the city management, then there will be less betel nut stains in the city. Betel nut does cause cancer, but as individuals we have the power to choose whether to chew or not.

RUTH BURU

23, collections officer, Hohola, Port Moresby Betel nut should not be banned in the city. It is a part of the ordinary Papua New Guinean’s life and people will still buy and sell it regardless of the ban. Failure to comply with the ban will only result in heavy handed law enforcement. Most betel nut vendors depend on daily sales to provide for their families. It’s their only means of survival. If the ban was imposed, they would have no choice but to still engage in selling betel nut, which brings me back to my first point. NIARA OAVIKA

51, accounts officer, Hohola, Port Moresby Betel nut must be banned in Port Moresby as well as the rest of the country because it causes a lot of rubbish. Also, betel nut selling at the bus stops creates unnecessary crowds, which makes bus stops a hotspot for criminal activities like pickpocketing and smoking of marijuana. The government should provide other avenues of income for those that rely on betel nut sales as a form of income, such as the production of agricultural products and encouragement of SMEs.