Chewing, spitting of tobacco in public banned by Karnataka government

Bengaluru: After Bihar and Jharkhand, Karnataka has become the third state in the country to ban the chewing of tobacco in public. On Saturday, the state of Karnataka banned the chewing and spitting of all kinds of tobacco in public. 

The order was issued by B Sriramulu, the health minister of Karnataka.

The decision was lauded by doctors as well as residents. People found chewing tobacco or spitting in public will be booked under section 188, 268, 269 and 270 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

Decision lauded by doctors 

Dr Sudarshab Ballal, Chairman of Manipal Hospitals said that chewing of tobacco is hazardous to health and spitting it in public is "aesthetically repulsive". 

Dr US Vishal Rao, the regional director of head and neck surgical oncology and robotic surgery, HCG Cancer Centre and a member of High-Power Committee on Tobacco Control, Government of Karnataka, told Bengaluru Mirror

, "Spitting itself was one of the banes prevalent in our society. And it is those who are exposed to that spit that are in danger. "

Dr Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Interventional Pulmonology consultant, Aster CMI Hospital said that the move will keep the state hygienic and will also ensure the safety of the locals. He said that the ban will also reduce the exposure of locals to aerosol. 

Dr Vivek Anand Padegal, Director-Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital said that chewing tobacco causes head as well as neck cancer. The ban will have a short and long-term effect. Dr Yateesh Govindaiah, Unit Head, Apollo Hospitals, Jayanagar said that the government should take steps to launch similar campaigns so that a change can be brought in the Karnataka.