Tobacco (Chewing & Smoking) has been linked to cancer, lung disease, heart disease, neurological disorders, and various other health related issues. Hence, we would like to share more information about the hazards of chewing tobacco on the city and propose a blanket ban of sale and possession of these products. 

 

Damage to Private & Public Property

People of Surat are globally infamous for this disgraceful behaviour of spitting in the open. These red spots are on residential building walls which have to be time and again repainted. We can also notice this all-over public infrastructure like roads, bridges, parks, footpath, drainage, public walls, public washrooms, outside place of worship, riverbanks, dustbins, bus windows, roadside plantations, lamppost and many other. This is an offence under Section 188 of IPC which imposes a fine up to Rs.1000 or imprisonment up to six months or both but is not enforced here because of lack of vigilance.

 

Damage to Business

Surat is known as textile city of India. From Yarn to Fabric printing, all happens in Surat. Many traders have witnessed that due to tobacco spit stain, they incur huge amount of loss under goods damage and face rejection by their clients. Many business have to time and again repaint their walls due to spit stains.

 

Health Hazard for consumer

Chewing tobacco causes mouth cancer and other irreparable health issues not only for the person consuming it but also for the person exposed to the spit of tobacco. Studies have shown that exposure to tobacco spits causes Tuberculosis. 

 

Health risk for Sanitary Workers

Many people spit tobacco in the common trash bin which later comes in contact with the sanitary workers while they try to segregate the waste. During this process they are highly exposed to health hazards caused by spits

 

Civic Global image of India

Many countries and cities have put a ban and high penalties on using chewing tobacco products. In the UK, few cities had to put up public notices in Gujarati language for communicating penalties on such an act. Not just the UK but reports have come from USA, UAE, Cananda and Kenya too.