COVID-19: Chewing tobacco and spitting in public may land you in jail

Adopting a strong stand in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre has urged states to ban the consumption of smokeless tobacco, as part of its measures to contain COVID-19. The Union Health Ministry has also asked state governments and UTs to take action against violators.

New Delhi: If you are an addict of chewing tobacco products and usually spit in public, try to get rid of these habits or else you will be put behind bars.

Adopting a strong stand in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Health Ministry has asked state governments and UTs to take action under Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and also under various provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860 and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) against all those who are found chewing smokeless tobacco products, Paan masala and areca nut (supari) and spit in public places.

In a letter issued to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, the Health Ministry recently said that in view of the increasing danger of COVID-19 pandemic, the general public should refrain from consuming the smokeless tobacco products and spitting in public places.

The Health Ministry was referring to an appeal made by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) asking the general public not to consume and spit smokeless tobacco in public.

As per the ICMR appeal chewing tobacco products, Pan masala and areca nut (super) increase 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 the tobacco products and spitting in public places during COVID-19 pandemic."

The Health Ministry has suggested that necessary preventive measures may be taken under the appropriate law to prohibit the use and spitting of chewing smokeless tobacco products in public.

However, on earlier occasions too, the government had announced stern action against smoking and spitting in public places. But, the latest directives assumes significance following the fact that India is fighting against an infectious disease which has already claimed so many lives besides infecting others.

Earlier, Vikas Sheel, joint secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also written letters to Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM) of all states and UTs as well as state nodal officers for tobacco control for taking appropriate steps in this direction.

Sheel in his letter mentioned about studies done by World Health Organisation (WHO) where it was stated that people with pre-existing Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) also appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the COVID-19.

These NCDs include cardiovascular disease (hypertension, persons who have or at risk for heart attack or stroke), chronic respiratory disease, cancer.

WHO fact sheet elaborated that the smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers are in contact with lips which increase the possibility of transmission of the virus from hand to mouth.

"Smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness," said Sheel in his letter.