Dubai: There is large network of people involved in getting betel leaves, betel nut, niswar (a type of tobacco) and other ingredients into the country, a senior Dubai Municipality official told Gulf News.
Paan is a small parcel of betel nut, tobacco and other ingredients wrapped in a betel leaf. It is made up of several natural and chemical elements that can be harmful to users.
In Dubai, chewing and spitting of paan, especially in public places, was prohibited following Local Order No 28 of 1985.
But despite regulation, the paan business continues to flourish in the busy areas of Bur Dubai and Deira.
Paan chewers turn a blind eye to the various initiatives adopted by the municipality to the keep the city clean and continue to go on a spitting spree, dirtying street corners, pavements, walls and staircases.
In October last year, the municipality further tightened their grip on those in the paan business by imposing a zero tolerance against those who make, sell or chew paan in the emirate.
According to the municipality, people caught selling or making paan will face stiff penalties and deportation.
There is a reward of Dh5,000 to those who provide tips to the municipality on paan sellers and manufacturers.
Hassan Makki, director of Waste Management, said that so far 15 people have been caught by a joint team from Dubai Police and the municipality.
"We have found that paan is prepared in houses. Most of those involved in this business are illegals. There are several ways by which these betel leaves are sneaked into the country. It is not directly imported into the country but transported by land. One of the common means is to layer it underneath fruit boxes," he said.
Last month, the municipality inspection team nabbed a shopkeeper in Al Sabka area in Deira and confiscated 500 kilograms of ingredients used in the preparation of paan.
He said inspection teams work on tip-offs from the public. So far three informers have been rewarded.
"If a member of public wants to inform on these paan operators, we ask them to get in touch with the police first so that we secure a letter to enter the premises&," he said.
Health impact: Deadly effectsThe effects of chewing paan are very similar to that of chewing tobacco. Many people think that chewing paan is safer than smoking tobacco, but studies have shown that instead of being safer, they are equally, if not more detrimental to one's health.
This is because paan with betel nut and the other ingredients is kept in your mouth for minutes at a time, causing more harmful chemicals to enter your body than when you smoke.
Some of the effects of chewing paan are:
Halitosis: Chewing paan causes bad breath in all users.
Gum and Tooth Disease: Paan permanently discolours teeth. Its direct and repeated contact with the gums causes them to recede, which can cause your teeth to fall out.
Cancer: Cancer of the mouth (including the lip, tongue, and cheek) and throat are very common among paan users. Cancers most frequently occur at the site where paan with tobacco is held in the mouth. Surveys reveal that risk of cancers of the cheek and gum may reach nearly 50-fold among long-term snuff users. The surgery for this could lead to removal of parts of your face, tongue, cheek or lip.
Source: Apollo Health
Did you know there was an award for reporting shops that sell paan? Would this be helpful in clamping down on paan sellers?
Your comments
Mr Suhail Akhtar, you forgot to add Pakistanis to the Paan Chewers list.
Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 17:03
I think its not only Indians, Indians and Pakistanis are equally high consumers of Paan in UAE. I see so many Taxi Drivers opening their Taxi doors and spitting out Paans. Mr. Suhail Akhtar, for your kind information, Pakistan is the largest importer of Betel Nuts and Paan leaves from India.
Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 17:00
I live near Satwa and find that the place is so ditry and most of the walls are painted with the Pan. The police should fine these people.
Valentino Hansel
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 16:46
All things which is not well for Health to be banned, not Only Paan Chewing.
A Rahman
dubai,India
Posted: June 10, 2009, 16:39
It is disgusting when you see the pan stains on the wall. Its more disgusting also when u see some one spitting on the road as they walk. When will these guys get some sense that they should not spoil a clean city which the authorities take pain to maintian. A hefty fine is the only solution.
Suresh B Nair
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 16:08
Chewing betel leaves after a meal is a tradition followed in many parts of India. In the UAE, a ban has been implemented on chewing, selling or importing betel leaves. As expatriates, we must adhere to the rules and regulations of the country. By violating the rules, we are not only disgracing ourselves but also our home town. Going on a spitting spree and dirtying the country is a shameful act besides being illegal. I would surely report to concerned authorities if I see a place selling paan. I have seen paan stains in Sharjah also on the walls and staircase of some buildings. The fact that there is an award for reporting shops that sell paan is not known to all. Radios could air this news so that all the people will be informed and this could help in clamping down on paan sellers.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 15:06
The best places that chewing tobacco is sold is grocery's i ask the DM to check up all grocery's soon.They hide it under their chairs and tables or other things this is the truth even they should check the grocery stores too.
Alloy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 15:01
I agree with Suhail Akhtar, it's mostly Indians, esp. shopkeepers and their workers/labors who keep the Bur Dubai and Deira area untidy. It's completely disgusting walking in areas like Meena Bazar, with the summer heat and stains all over the walls, it makes it more difficult to walk around small alleys, they even throw garbage everywhere, even from their cars, it's really unpleasant site, tourist and shoppers love this area but I guessed people just have to bare the filthy condition of this places.
Mariyah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 14:20
The Authorities should identify thos habitual paan eaters (can be known from their stained teeth
Saifee Mansour Tarwala
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 14:18
Though chewing of paan is not bad if done ocassionally but definitely spitting around is to be fined. But why only paan there are so many other things happening in the city on the roads making the city dirty in some other way. Why not clean that as well. This city deserves more !
Bobby
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 13:47
Yesterday was speaking to a securtiy guard (in tower on Shk Zayed road)i noticed before he answered he spit into the dustbin. I walked away from there in disgust.Isn't there any fine for people chewing tobacco or paan?Cant we have disguised policemen to catch these people who dirty this beautiful city?
Mariam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 13:44
Pan was considered as a mouth freshener in Mughal empire especially in Benaras, how ever now a days pan with tobacco or ZARDA is is dangerous to health and Indian governement is trying to ban this product
Mohammad Qutub Al Deen Khaja
Hyderabad,India
Posted: June 10, 2009, 13:04
No i didnt know there was an award for such information.
Shuja Kamili
Duabi,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 13:00
Well its very unfortunate that the author forgot to mention the Nationality Indian when writing this artile. Mostly Indians are sellers and customers of Pan. Anybody who eats a pan you can spot him from his lips and teeths being Red...
Suhail Akhtar
Riyadh,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Posted: June 10, 2009, 12:10
what i think is that its not only the sellers that should be punished/fined/deported but also the individual that chew it. i have been seeing alot of these stains on the road and even right outside the entrance of buidings i live in and its really not a pleasent scene nor healthy. this has to be looked in by authorities and a strick law shall be implemented on any paan consumer. we dont want the roads to be colored in brown, otherwise the municipality would have painted it themselves. they need to take under consideration that the streets are common areas. sorry if im being harsh but this is something the people of dubai can't cope with.
Fadi N.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 11:56
i have noticed shopkeepers selling chewing tobacco at jebel ali area (especially at labour camps) n i geuss its been distributed in large quantities.DM should take initiative and measures to stop these kind of activities
Shaikh Sulaiman Hussain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 11:52
Paan chewers turn a "blind eye to the various initiatives adopted by the municipality" to the keep the city clean and continue to go on a spitting spree, dirtying street corners, pavements, walls and staircases.
Authorities should impose stricter laws not just on suppliers but to users as well. it is very unsightly.
Arnel Odeste
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 10, 2009, 09:06
