Papua New Guinea's police commissioner, Toami Kulunga, has imposed a total ban on betel nut consumption and possession at the police national headquarters in Port Moresby.
The move is in support of the National Capital District governor Powes Parkop's efforts to ban the public sale and consumption of the popular nut on the city's streets.
Commissioner Kulunga says as a responsible government department and the key enforcement agency it must take a lead in supporting a worthy initiative.
He says betel nut chewing not only helps make the city, homes and work places filthy, but is also helps spread airborne diseases including tuberculosis.
The commissioner says any police found selling, in possession of or chewing betel nut at the National Police Headquarters face severe penalties.
