Effective implementation of prohibition of spitting in public places will prevent spread of coronavirus
Bhubaneswar, April 19,
The Odisha government abiding by the Union Health Ministry’s letter has prohibited spitting in any form in public places with immediate effect by issuing a notification on April 16. The notification read that general public is refrained from spitting in any form in public places or institutions.
Union Health Ministry in its letter mentioned that Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had appealed the general public not to consume and spit smokeless tobacco in public. Chewing smokeless tobacco products, paan masala and areca nut (supari) increases the production of saliva followed by a very strong urge to spit. Spitting in public places could enhance the spread of COVID-19 virus.
In view of the increasing danger of COVID-19 pandemic, ICMR has appealed the general public to refrain from consuming smokeless tobacco products and spitting in public places during the COVID epidemic.
The Union Health Ministry on April 10 had asked the States and Union Territories to take preventive measures under the appropriate law to prohibit the use and spitting of chewing smokeless tobacco products in public.
Asim Padhan of Alamelu Charitable Foundation (Tata Trust) said that the Odisha Government has prohibited spitting in any form in public places and it has to be effectively implemented across the State. This step will certainly help in containing the spread of corona infection because spitting in public places could enhance the spread of COVID-19.
It is to be mentioned that 42.9% of all adults currently use smokeless tobacco including 52.1% men and 33.6% women as per GATS-2 data.
According to the Dr Dilip Kar, VoTV patron and Cancer Surgeon Kalinga Hospital, Bhubaneswar said “The Odisha Government prohibiting spitting in any form in public places will certainly play important role in prevention of COVID-19.”
Apart from Odisha, States like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Ropar (Punjab), Gujarat, Telangana, Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Haryana, Nagaland, Assam and Union Territory Chandigarh have also prohibited use of smokeless tobacco and spitting in public places.
