Govt urged to impose ban on spitting, littering in public

Social workers, doctors say both actions cause health, environment hazards.

PESHAWAR: Social workers and doctors have urged the government to take measures to impose a ban on spitting and littering in public places since they have deleterious consequences on the health of the public.

Most health experts particularly pressed for imposition of a ban on spitting naswar, smokeless tobacco powder, which they said was becoming quite common among people in the city.

They said consumers of naswar spit it out on roads and public spaces without any concern for public health. “While other forms of smokeless tobacco, including paan and gutka are used less in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, naswar’s use is becoming rampant,” one of the social workers said.

Muhammad Rafiq, a social worker of Motivate Youth Organisation, told The Express Tribune, “Naswar consumption is increasing in the province but the government has not included the issue in their priority list.” He added, just like smoking in public places is banned, spitting naswar should also not be permitted. Other health experts concurred, saying laws restricting smokers from smoking in public spaces exist in Pakistan, but rules to ban spitting and littering should also be introduced.

They said the country should follow India’s example which disallowed spitting pan, gutka and other smokeless tobacco in public spaces in 2015. It also introduced a fine of Rs1,000 or a jail term of three months for those who violate the rule. Rafiq also said international organisations like United Nations Office on Drug Control and Crime should include use of smokeless tobacco in Pakistan in its list of illicit substances. He said this will deter people from using the substance that causes harm to health as well as to the environment.

In the bin, win win

Similarly, people were also irked by littering outside public toilets and on roadsides. They said it not only gives off a terrible odour, but also pollutes the environment.

Rafiq said these social issues look minor but they affect the population gradually.

“Small dustbins should be installed on roadsides at a distance of one kilometre and a campaign should be launched to create awareness about the repercussions of littering and spitting,” Rafiq suggested.

He added the government should declare littering an offense and should come up with proper legislation for it.

Littering creates major issues for workers of Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP), particularly during the rainy season. Speaking to The Express Tribune, WSSP Spokesperson Taimoor Shah said shopping bags and trash left behind on roads create hurdles in draining rainwater through sewerages.

He said litter covers drain holes on roads and creates large puddles of water on roads, causing problems for commuters.

Dr Saud Islam who works at Khyber Teaching Hospital told The Express Tribune spitting in public may cause spread of contagious diseases, especially gastroenteritis.

He added spitting contaminates water bodies which can be a nuisance since other people may catch infections or diseases like tuberculosis. “People allergic to naswar may even develop depression and psychological problems,” Islam said.

According to Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002, smoking in public places like parks, educational institutions, hospitals, auditoriums, playgrounds, bus stations, public vehicles, eateries is banned in Pakistan. Those violating the law will have to pay a fine of Rs1,000 which may extend to Rs10,000 in case of repeating the offence.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2016.