London Battles £30,000 Paan Spitting Crisis: Brent Council Enforces Zero-Tolerance Policy Against South Asian Habit

Nov 28, 2025 10:07 pm CST

Brent Council in North London is spending over £30,000 annually to clean red paan stains from public spaces. This South Asian habit of chewing and spitting tobacco-based mixtures has become a significant sanitation issue, particularly in Wembley. The council has implemented a zero-tolerance approach with potential £100 fines for offenders as part of their commitment to maintaining clean streets and public spaces.