Vanuatu's prime minister, Edward Natapei, says his government is looking at ways to restrict kava drinking.
Mr Natapei says excessive consumption of kava is contributing to laziness and abuse of public funds by both the country's political leaders and public servants.
He says kava is traditionally drunk during custom ceremonies, but more and more its use has been abused by sales in local kava bars.
The prime minister says drinking too much at nights renders bar customers sleepy and lazy and often late for work the next morning.
Vanuatu kava is claimed to be the most potent in the Pacific.
