Retrospective Analysis of the Anti Spitting Laws in Various Geographical Locations and Implementing Sectors in India

Abstract

Objective: Public spitting attributable to Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) use not only causes a threat to public cleanliness but also to the people exposed around them. An electronic search on various anti-spitting laws and ban in India was done using Google search engine for duration of three months (November 2018 to January 2019). Material and Methods: The original state gazettes were reviewed to extract the data on spit ban and penalty. Renewals of Acts were also thoroughly checked for recent updates of penalty or severity of the act. The law implementing bodies were broadly classified as National, State, Municipal, Village councils (Gram Panchayat), Airports, Metro Railway, and Company Law Tribunal. Results: A total of 42 Anti-spitting laws were identified in this search and 16 states had anti spitting law under different sectors. Discussion: Under these laws, sign boards and warnings are placed commonly at Airports, Railway stations, and metro stations. States with high rates of SLT users like Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram did not have any policy on spitting. Conclusion: Strong enforcement of anti-spitting laws in India will not only reduce spread of communicable diseases but also indirectly will reduce the act of using SLT also.

Keywords

• law enforcement
• tobacco use cessation
• retrospective studies
• public health practice
• health policy