There has been a noticeable increase in South Asian grocery outlets selling paan, betel nut (areca nut), and paan products containing tobacco across parts of Western Sydney and surrounding areas, including Parramatta, Cumberland, and Blacktown.

Alongside this growth, residents are increasingly witnessing public spitting of these products in streets, footpaths, outside shops, near public transport, and other shared spaces.

The resulting red stains and residue have become a common and persistent sight, negatively impacting:

• public hygiene and sanitation
• cleanliness and visual amenity of neighbourhoods
• the environment in which children and young people are growing up

Despite existing littering and spitting laws, this issue continues to worsen. 

We believe the most effective and preventative solution is to remove the source of the issue.

What we are asking for

We call on:

• Local Councils across Sydney, and
• the NSW Government

to take action toward a state-wide ban on the sale of:

1. Betel Nut (Areca Nut) Products
This includes raw nuts, processed, flavored, and blended mixtures, such as:

• raw or dried nuts (often sold as supari)
• sliced/flavored nuts (sweetened or spiced snack pieces)
• small, ready-to-chew pouches sold in convenience stores

2. Paan Masala (Flavored Betel Nut Mixtures)
Commercialized mixtures of crushed areca nut with flavorings and additives.

3. Gutka
A commercial mixture that includes areca nut and tobacco, often mixed with lime, spices, and flavorings.

4. Meetha Paan (Sweet, Tobacco-Free Paan)
Betel leaf stuffed with nuts, spices, and sweeteners, used as a breath-freshening treat.

5. Paan Products Containing Tobacco

Any paan-based products that contain tobacco or nicotine, including pre-packaged pouches and loose mixtures.

This request is made in the interests of public health, hygiene, and community wellbeing.

This petition is not directed at any culture, ethnicity, or community. Many people from diverse backgrounds share concerns about the health impacts of these products and the damage being caused to public spaces & properties.

As parents, residents, and community members, we want our neighbourhoods to be clean, healthy, and welcoming — especially for children who should not grow up normalising unhygienic public behaviour.

We urge councils (Parramatta City, Blacktown City, Cumberland City and Canterbury-Bankstown City) and the NSW Government to treat this issue with urgency and to take decisive action before the problem spreads further across Sydney.

If NSW acts first, this should set a precedent for national action across Australia.