Key Points
- Brent Council in North London spends over £30,000 yearly to clean paan stains in public areas.
- Paan, a chewing substance popular in South Asian communities, causes persistent red stains on pavements, flower beds, and street furniture.
- Cleaning is difficult; even high-pressure equipment struggles to remove stains.
- The council enforces strict anti-paan spitting policies with fines up to £100 and banners in hotspot areas.
- Councillor Krupa Sheth supports zero tolerance for paan spitting.
- The Brent Liberal Democrats criticise the timing of the crackdown as politically motivated.
- Paan use is linked to serious health risks, including oral and oesophageal cancers.
- Brent Council offers workshops and one-on-one support to help residents quit paan.
- Councillor Neil Nerva highlights the health hazards and the cost burden of paan spitting to public spaces.
What is the issue with paan stains in Brent?
Brent Council in North London has revealed that it spends more than £30,000 each year specifically to address the cleaning of dark-red stains caused by paan chewing residue in public spaces. The council highlighted the problem is especially prevalent in areas like Wembley, where paan stains have become a common and visible nuisance on pavements, flower beds, and street furniture. The substance’s ingredients, which typically include betel leaf, betel nut, herbs, and tobacco, leave a difficult-to-remove residue after being spat out. According to the council, even high-powered pressure washing units have struggled to entirely eradicate the stains, underlining the ongoing and costly challenge posed by paan spitting.
How is Brent Council addressing the paan spitting problem?
Brent Council has adopted a robust enforcement strategy to combat paan spitting in public spaces. The council has installed banners in prominent hotspots where paan spitting is most common and has deployed enforcement officers to monitor and deter the behaviour. People caught spitting paan can face fines of up to £100 under this policy. As Councillor Krupa Sheth, the Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Enforcement, stated,
“I am delighted that we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to those who ruin our streets, that includes those that spit out paan and stain street furniture. Don’t mess with Brent, because we will catch you and fine you.”
This enforcement approach aims to uphold public cleanliness and reduce costly damage caused by paan stains.
Why are the Brent Liberal Democrats critical of the council’s actions?
The Brent Liberal Democrats have criticised what they perceive as the council’s delayed and politically timed enforcement measures. Councillor Paul Lorber, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Brent, remarked,
“People in Wembley, Alperton, and Sudbury have been dealing with disgusting chewing tobacco spitting on our streets for years, while [the council] looked the other way. Now, suddenly, just before an election, they want credit for ‘cracking down’?”
Their criticism implies that the council’s recent actions may be motivated by electoral considerations rather than a genuine and continuous commitment to addressing the issue.
What are the health implications of paan use?
The health risks associated with paan use are significant and well documented. Studies and health authorities, including the National Health Service (NHS), have linked paan consumption—due to its betel nut and tobacco content—to serious illnesses such as oral and oesophageal cancers. These risks are considered comparable to those from cigarette smoking. Dr Shazia Siddiqi, Brent’s Clinical Lead for Primary & Community Care, noted,
“We see patients with oral health issues linked to paan use. Additives like betel nut and tobacco, when eaten frequently in the paan can pose serious health risks.”
This underscores both the public health and social concerns tied to paan use in communities where it is popular.
How is Brent Council supporting public health in relation to paan use?
In addition to its enforcement efforts, Brent Council is implementing educational and support programmes aimed at helping residents reduce or quit paan use. The council’s Stop Smoking Service offers tailored workshops and one-on-one support, specifically designed for groups often overlooked by mainstream cessation programmes, such as those who chew tobacco and pregnant individuals. Councillor Neil Nerva, Cabinet Member for Community Health and Wellbeing, emphasised this holistic approach by stating,
“Paan spitting is not just unpleasant—it’s harmful, costly, and unacceptable. You are playing with your health [and] messing with your streets.”
This comprehensive strategy reflects Brent’s commitment to improving both community health outcomes and public cleanliness.
