Maharashtra to ban chewing of tobacco and paan in public

Consumption of tobacco and paan (betel leaf) in public would be banned in Maharashtra soon.

A source in the public health department said that a government resolution to this effect will be issued this month. Pan/tobacco chewing leads to spitting which is unhygienic and spreads diseases like TB, hence the ban, he said.

The resolution would ban consumption of tobacco and paan and spitting in public places including hospitals, airports and gardens. Offenders would be fined. Manufacture, sale or consumption of gutka and paan masala are already banned in the state, so is the smoking in public places.