The Tailevu Provincial Council is focusing on reducing the overconsumption of kava as part of its long-term strategic plan for the province. Council chairman Rusiate Tudravu highlighted that excessive drinking of kava poses a significant challenge for the community.
Tudravu stated, “Excessive drinking of yaqona is an issue that the provincial council is currently facing.” He emphasized that this matter would be a topic of discussion during their strategic planning sessions. He noted the abundance of land in Tailevu, but pointed out that many young people are engaged in frequent kava consumption.
“While we cannot completely eliminate excessive drinking, we encourage our people to adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce their kava intake for a better quality of life,” he said. Tudravu added that the village and Tikina should work towards boosting local economies instead of relying solely on government support. He remarked, “We cannot let the majority of our time be consumed by drinking kava.”
These remarks follow a call from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to traditional leaders in Tailevu to monitor their kava consumption and promote moderation within their communities. Rabuka emphasized that kava drinking contributes to Fiji’s persistent issues with noncommunicable diseases.