Municipal chiefs across Bahrain are calling for an intensified crackdown on the widespread spitting of paan and tombak tobacco, which they say is staining streets, alleys and neighbourhoods with disgusting orange and red blotches and creating a growing public nuisance.
The issue, long associated with certain South Asian chewing habits, has escalated in several neighbourhoods, leaving pavements and building entrances marked by bright residue that is difficult to remove.
Municipal leaders warn that the habit is not only unhygienic, but has now become a visible threat to the country’s public image and environmental cleanliness.
Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar claimed the problem had intensified due to illegal sales of the tobacco mixtures in small eateries and convenience outlets that are not licensed for such activity. “The tobacco is being sold illegally in samosa shops, karak tea stalls and cold stores,” he alleged. “These are food outlets and they should not be involved in selling harmful substances. The result is that our streets are being defaced every single day.”
Mr Al Naar said that despite repeated campaigns and warnings, violations continued to spread, particularly in urban neighbourhoods. He urged for co-ordinated action involving municipal inspectors, police and public health authorities.
In the Southern Governorate, Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif highlighted enforcement challenges, particularly due to the timing of the violations.
“Municipal inspectors are finding it extremely difficult to follow up on all cases, especially those happening after work hours or at weekends,” he explained. “People tend to buy and consume paan and tombak late at night and by morning the streets are already stained. We need extended inspection hours and stronger penalties.”
Mr Abdullatif said that despite the efforts of cleaning crews, the stains were so strong that many pavements required repeated scrubbing or chemical cleaning, adding strain to municipal budgets.
“With the amount of cleaning required every day, this has now become a city hygiene crisis,” said Mr Abdullatif. “We cannot continue at this pace without stronger deterrents.”
Meanwhile, Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah expressed deep concern over the visual and sanitary impact of the widespread spitting.
“This violation is bringing eyesore and disgust,” he said. “No visitor or resident wants to walk through streets covered in orange spit. It reflects poorly on our neighbourhoods and on Bahrain as a whole.”
He urged for an intensified public awareness campaign, including multilingual messages targeting communities where the habit is common. “We must address the behaviour, not just the aftermath,” he added.
Municipal chiefs have proposed several steps, including:
n Licensing checks to prevent the sale of paan and tombak in unauthorised shops.
n Higher fines for spitting in public places.
n Increased weekend and evening inspections.
n CCTV monitoring in high-violation areas.
n A national awareness drive on health and hygiene risks.
Tombak and paan mixtures, especially those containing tobacco, are known to pose serious health risks, including oral cancer and gum disease. However, municipal officials emphasise that their primary focus is on public cleanliness and the escalating environmental impact.
As discussions continue between municipal councils and public health authorities, residents have been encouraged to report illegal sales and unhygienic practices to their local municipalities.
“This is a collective responsibility,” Mr Tarradah said. “If we all co-operate, we can stop this harmful and unpleasant behaviour from ruining our streets.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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