Dubai Campaigns Against 'Harmful' Paan Products

The Dubai Municipality is carrying out a week-long campaign to stop the consumption of paan, that has resulted in the seizure of 250 kilograms of the product till date. According to local law in Dubai, importing paan products to the country is against the law and those who chew and spit it in public places will have to pay a fine of 500 dirhams.

The municipality campaign was carried out in commercial areas and worker's accommodations to raise awareness against the harmful side-effects of paan products.

"The drive comes as part of Municipality's efforts to eradicate bad habits and behaviors found in people that affect the public health levels of the city," Abdul Majeed Saifaie, director of Waste Management Department at the municipality, said.

"Chewing paan and spitting it out in public spaces affects the global acceptance of our city from [visitors], in addition to damaging the clean image of the street and affecting a person's health," Saifaie said.

According to Gulf News, Sohail Mohammad Awadhi, Head of the operation Unit at Bur Dubai said that "the awareness campaign primarily focused on the negative impacts of chewing paan, and guiding people regarding the legal consequences of using paan items was also included in the awareness lectures."

He further added that municipality officials conducted seminars in the Arabic, English, Hindi and Bangladeshi languages to target the various nationalities that tend to chew paan, the report said.

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Source-ANI