The French high commission in New Caledonia has decreed that alcoholic drinks can no longer be sold in shops and supermarkets on Wednesday afternoons.
The restriction applies to the Noumea area and several other townships and is aimed at curbing drunkenness among young people during the summer season.
The ban is in addition to restrictions already in place from Friday afternoon until Sunday as well as on public holidays.
There is also a law banning the sale of alcohol to minors.
However, a test carried out by the territory's daily newspaper with a 15-year old student showed that within less than an hour he could buy 14 bottles of beer at five different shops.
