Dr. Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Spitting in public is an unhygienic and unacceptable habit, whether done due to illness or sheer indifference. It reflects a lack of civic sense and poor awareness of basic hygiene practices. Saliva and respiratory droplets can easily transmit viruses and bacteria from one person to another. While much attention is given to coughing and sneezing, public spitting—an equally dangerous practice—often receives little emphasis, despite posing serious public health risks.
Medical experts and public health officials warn that spitting can contribute to the spread of infections, much like coughing. People who chew tobacco and spit in public not only endanger those around them but also harm themselves. Tainted saliva can introduce carcinogenic agents into the lining of the stomach, esophagus, and bladder. Saliva can host a wide range of infectious organisms, and droplets of mucus and spit often carry harmful viruses.
Spitting in public places is a revolting habit that contaminates surfaces, water, and air. Diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, hepatitis A and E, gastrointestinal infections, and even COVID-19 can spread through saliva. Other illnesses transmitted through spit include viral meningitis, cytomegalovirus, and the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes conditions like glandular fever. Infection occurs when contaminated saliva enters the body through the mouth, eyes, or open wounds.
The habit is particularly dangerous in densely populated areas, where people live and work in close proximity. Spitting in public offices, common spaces, and public transport is a punishable offence, and the law mandates the display of warning boards highlighting penalties. Yet enforcement alone is not enough. People must understand that spitting reflects poorly on personal character and social responsibility.
Unfortunately, in today’s so-called civilized society, spitting is sometimes treated as a casual or even showy act. This mindset ignores the grave consequences—ranging from ulcers and cancers to the rapid spread of infectious diseases. Psychological factors such as poor self-image and lack of awareness may also contribute to this behaviour.
Governments and health organizations across the world are striving to curb this habit through awareness campaigns and fines, emphasizing the importance of public hygiene. Simple measures—such as using spittoons, tissues, or simply refraining from spitting—can make a significant difference.
Most people find spitting to be an obnoxious and filthy habit, and rightly so. It endangers not just the person who spits, but everyone around them, while creating an unpleasant and unhealthy environment. Breaking this habit is essential for cleaner streets, healthier communities, and a more responsible society.
Dr. Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Freelance Journalist, Writer & Cartoonist
Limca Book of Records Holder (7 Times)
Ahmedabad
