Brent Council is calling on ministers to tackle the growing health and cleanliness problems linked to paan chewing and spitting across the borough.
A London borough in the north-west of the capital, home to a large community with South Asian roots, has called on central government to take action over what it says is a growing problem linked to paan use, raising alarms about public health and environmental damage.
Brent Council has formally contacted ministers overseeing health policy and consumer regulation, urging them to introduce an immediate prohibition on the sale of paan products that include tobacco or betel nut. According to the council, the widespread chewing and spitting associated with paan is not only contributing to increased cancer risks but is also harming local high streets and fuelling unlawful tobacco distribution networks.
In outlining the seriousness of the situation, the authority stressed that paan use presents dual challenges: significant health dangers and persistent street contamination throughout the borough. In its correspondence, the council described the issue as increasingly urgent and called on the government to implement swift regulatory measures to address the problem.
We strive to make a lasting impact on India’s policy and planning landscape through fair, unbiased, and incisive research based journalism.
But we can’t do it alone.
Together, we can create a better India, where policies are fair, planning is unbiased, and the truth prevails. Your contribution matters, and we shall be immensely grateful for your support.