Paan spitting £30k clean-up bill sparks crackdown

Paan chewing and spitting causes serious health and environmental damage and costs the council over £30,000 to clean up each year. 

Paan is a mix of tobacco, nuts, and spices wrapped in a leaf—is a centuries-old tradition for many in the Asian community, often seen as a palate cleanser or breath freshener.  

The council runs one-to-one support where residents can get support on quitting paan as part of a public health initiative to tackle tobacco, smoking, and paan in the borough. 

Enforcement officers are taking a zero-tolerance approach to those caught ruining Brent's streets with paan, and residents will notice that banners have gone up in three hotspots where paan staining is a big problem. 

Health experts warn it carries grave risks. According to Cancer Research UK, chewing paan with tobacco raises the risk of oral cancer, gum disease, and heart problems — with dangers on par with cigarette smoking. 

Dr Shazia Siddiqi, Clinical Lead for Primary & Community Care (Brent) said: 

“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. Regular use of betel nut has been linked to oral and oesophageal cancers, while tobacco is highly addictive.

"Both can cause recurrent mouth ulcers and bleeding gums and can also weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infections like tuberculosis”. 

To help residents quit, Brent’s Stop Smoking Service runs specialist six-week programmes tailored for groups often missed by mainstream services, including people who chew tobacco, smoke shisha, are pregnant, or receive mental health support.

The fight isn’t just about health. The council’s zero-tolerance approach targets the costly problem of paan spitting. Brent coughs up over £30,000 a year in clean-up costs. The mixture leaves stubborn, dark red stains on pavements, shops, and buildings—marks even high-powered cleaning jets can’t fully remove.

The council is taking a zero-tolerance approach. Enforcement officers will patrol hot spots, with offenders facing an increased £100 fine. Dedicated workshops will run alongside enforcement to help users quit for good.

Brent is also partnering with local faith and community groups, hosting workshops in mosques, temples, and community centres to raise awareness and support quitting.

Councillor Neil Nerva, Cabinet Member for Community Health and Wellbeing, said: “We’re committed to protecting residents’ health and keeping our streets clean. Paan spitting is not just unpleasant—it’s harmful, costly, and unacceptable. You are playing with your health, messing with your Streets, let’s work together to stop paan spitting!"

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Enforcement, said: “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.”

Residents can access free quit kits, one-to-one support, and information online at Stop smoking with Brent.