Municipal Wardens in Port Vila are inspecting health and safety standards in more than 100 kava bars around the Vanuatu capital.
Kava club owner Eddie Dick Photo: RNZ/ Pacific - Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor
The Port Vila Municipality recently passed a by-law aimed at ensuring kava bars were clean and healthy and that sellers always washed their hands with soap and water before handling kava.
The by-law also prevents people who sell kava from smoking and spitting close to where the product is sold.
Sellers must also wear an apron, a head cover and gloves.
If bar owners fail to comply with the standards then authorities can order the temporary closure of the kava bars.