Law separates liquor and food stores

By CALDRON LAEPA
LIQUOR outlets will be kept separate from food stores in the Gulf province, according to a new legislation.
This follows the passage of the province’s amended liquor licensing act recently approved by the provincial execu­tive council.
Gulf Governor Haivila Kavo, who is also chairman of the liquor licensing committee, said the separation of liquor shops or bottle shops from general food stores or kai bars was to allow members of the public to shop without being harassed by those trying to buy alcohol.
Traders who fail to comply with the new legislation will be arrested and have their liquor licence cancelled.
Kavo said since 1980, the liquor law had been amended to address alcohol-related issues.
That law also provides for the appointment of a provincial liquor license commissioner and also outlines his powers.
The law defines liquor and alcohol such as homebrew.
Women’s representative in the council Tete Keko has welcomed the new law because many women and children faced harassment and abuse because of alcohol.
Keko said the act would address some of these issues.