Bengal To Pass Bill Proposing Hefty Fine for Spitting Tobacco in Public

Tough days are ahead for those who are habitual offenders in West Bengal of spitting chewing tobacco or pan masala in public places as a Bill will be introduced in the forthcoming Budget Assembly session with provisions for a hefty financial penalty for such offences. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the West Bengal cabinet at the state secretariat Nabanna on Tuesday.

A member of the state Cabinet said that the Chief Minister herself expressed anguish over the growing tendencies of spitting, chewing tobacco, betel lead leftovers or pan masala in public places.

“She was especially critical of the stains because of such spitting tendencies often on newly painted walls or pavements, which is hampering the state government’s beautification attempts. Thereafter, it was decided to move the Bill with provisions of hefty fiscal penalty for such offences,” the state Cabinet member said.