Ban the sale of tobacco products and spitting in public, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan to all States.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday 15/05/2020  appealed to all states and union territories to ban the sale of tobacco products and spitting in public.

"Smokeless tobacco users have a tendency to spit in public places, increasing health risks especially those of spreading contagious diseases like Covid-19, tuberculosis, swine flu, encephalitis and others," Vardhan said In a letter to all state health ministers, 

Chewing tobacco products and areca nut increases production of saliva followed by a very strong urge to spit. Spitting in public places could enhance the spread of the Covid-19, Vardhan said.

Also Read: Liquor: With Some Condition Maharashtra government will Provide Home delivery of liquor.

"By banning spitting in public places, states and UTs can help in achieving not only Swachh Bharat but also Swasth Bharat ,” he said.

“Use of smokeless tobacco also creates an unhygienic environment which further spreads the diseases. Large gatherings at the retail outlets where smokeless tobacco products are sold, also pose the risk of spread of Covid,” PTI report.