Spitting in a public place is a punishable offence. However, fines are rarely levied upon the culprits. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) data reveals that only 967 actions were taken against people for spitting in public from January 2024 to December 2024. In 2023, the PMC took action against 1,248 people, while in 2022, action was taken against only 138 violators. In 2021, there were 737 actions, and in 2020, 1,650 actions were recorded.
Sandip Kadam, head of PMC’s solid waste management department, told The Free Press Journal, “We have collected a fine of ₹9,75,000 in 2024, and we will be increasing surveillance in the most congested areas of the city, such as Peth areas, signals and chowks, where it is difficult to catch hold of violators.”
Meanwhile, residents have voiced their concerns on this issue. Nilesh Chavan, a resident of Kalyani Nagar, said, “We can’t always blame the government for unclean roads; we as citizens should also have civic sense. Metro pillars in front of the McDonald’s at Kalyani Nagar are painted red as people rampantly spit paan and tobacco. Do these people do such things at their home? No, they don’t. So why do it in public spaces? We can’t always point fingers at the administration and the government. As citizens, it’s also our responsibility to keep the city clean. These new developments are funded by our money, so we should treat them as our own property. I want the authorities to take strict actions against the defaulters.”
Rajeev Srivastava, a teacher by profession, said, “We teach children to keep our surroundings clean, but it’s the adults who are spitting. By this standard, what we are trying to teach them? Our laws do not enforce any kind of discipline, so there is no fear. When we compare India with other countries, a major difference lies in the fact that law enforcement. In our country, the laws are not that strict.”
Besides, experts have cited that spitting in public can cause a lot of health concerns. Dr Shahzad Mirza, Professor of Clinical Microbiology and the Hospital Infection Control Officer at Dr DY Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, highlighted, “Spitting can transmit various infectious diseases, particularly those that spread through respiratory droplets. These droplets, expelled forcefully during spitting, can contain pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. One significant concern is tuberculosis (TB), which spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or spits. These droplets can remain suspended in the air and be inhaled by others, leading to infection.”
“Other respiratory illnesses like, SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza (flu) are highly contagious and spread through respiratory droplets along with common cold. While the risk of transmission through spitting may vary depending on the specific pathogen and the environment, it’s crucial to emphasise the importance of proper hygiene practices, including covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding spitting in public places,” the doctor added.
Dr Raman Gaikwad, Infectious Diseases Physician, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospitals, Deccan Gymkhana, said, “Spitting in crowded areas endangers other people and risks the spread of various communicable diseases. Such behaviour is also a concern from a social and medical point of view as it also might help in the transmission of infections that could be or serious.”
“It is vital to raise public attention on the dangers associated with spitting and to establish rules that restrict such behaviour to reduce the risk of these illnesses. In addition, it is important to practice good respiratory hygiene such as covering the mouth and nose with tissue or the inside of one’s elbow when coughing or sneezing. If possible, it is advisable to get vaccines, and where, necessary it is equally important that people should wash their hands frequently to curb the spread of the disease.”
