The Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sakiusa Tubuna, has emphasized that the consumption of kava is a significant contributor to fatal road accidents. While admitting that there is limited data connecting heavy kava drinking to road incidents, Tubuna pointed out instances where individuals have died due to excessive kava consumption.
During submissions on the annual reports for 2019-2022 to the parliamentary standing committee, Tubuna raised concerns about the apparent lack of information regarding the effects of kava on road safety, particularly emphasizing its role in serious accidents.
He noted, “There is a strong emphasis on alcohol and its effects on road accidents, but not enough attention is given to excessive kava consumption leading to accidents.” He underscored a connection between heavy kava drinking and road incidents, particularly among long-distance drivers, and called for more awareness, especially among the iTaukei community.
Maritino Nemani, the executive chair of the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF) and permanent secretary for Employment, echoed Tubuna’s sentiments. He advocated for updated regulations to address the risks associated with excessive kava drinking in the context of road safety. Nemani highlighted that, in some countries, individuals can be fined for kava consumption while driving and stressed the need to include kava as a factor in road safety discussions alongside alcohol.