In a major policy initiative to prevent consumption of tobacco, supari, pan-masala, gutkha and other tobacco substances, the Maharashtra Government on Saturday made spitting and smoking at public places an offence which will be liable for both punishment and fine.

In a Government Resolution issued under the Mumbai Police Act, first instance of spitting and smoking in public places will be liable to a fine of Rs 1,000 and 1 day of public service. The second instance of spitting/smoking by the same person will be liable to a fine of Rs 3,000 and 3 days of public service. And the third instance will be liable to Rs 5,000 fine and 5 days of public service.

According to the various provisions under the Indian Penal Code, a punishment of up to 6 months, 2 years and fine or both can be asked to serve.

Announcing this, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said: “Many communicable and fatal diseases spread because of spitting in public places. Considering that a pandemic like Covid-19 also spreads through spits, we have taken this decision in public interest”

To implement this decision, the state government has invoked the rules of Epidemic Diseases Act, Disaster Management Act to prevent consumption of tobacco, supari, pan-masala, gutkha and other tobacco substances; spitting and smoking in all public places.

Tope appealed to people to follow wholeheartedly new rule banning spitting in public places. “The ban on spitting at public places will help prevent outbreak and spread of Covid-19 and other epidemic diseases,” he said.