As the State awaited details of lockdown 3.0 with trepidation, Goans were in for a rude shock when guidelines issued from the Central ministry of Home Affairs enlisted paan shops in the catalogue of exemptions. The State government has previously, on occasions more than one, affirmed that Central guidelines would be adhered to, in our state. In view of the above, the State Government is kindly urged to drop paan shops from the list of activities that may be allowed to resume with the heralding of the third lockdown.
The transmission of SARS CoV-2 is via microdroplet spread, which implies that oral and nasal secretions carry the virus laden particles onto surfaces or another person when one speaks, sneezes, coughs or spits. When the State has made failure to comply with mandatory “wear mask” orders a punishable offence, it would appear devoid of logic to allow paan shops to operate, which promote a habit of chewing substances and eventually but invariably, spitting out the remnants. Not only could it prove disastrous with respect to probable transmission of CoVid-19 by tobacco chewing ‘super spreaders’ , there is absolutely nothing to gain from legally permitting the practice to perpetuate in the future either.
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The menace of paan chewing and spitting is culturally alien to the state of Goa and is a practice almost exclusively engaged in by the migrant populace, the influx of which is exponentially increasing in the State. The government should seize the current opportunity and leverage it to pivot a permanent ban on the sale and consumption of Pan masala and smokeless tobacco. For now, it could be incorporated under the Epidemic Diseases Act, which already stands enforced in the state.
Turning a blind eye to the aesthetically grotesque site of red stains in public areas for a moment, the non-corona related deleterious health effects cannot be ignored either. Pan masala and smokeless tobacco products have been proven to cause a variety of diseases that range in severity, from dental and periodontal (gum related) pathologies to pre-malignant and potentially malignant pathologies such as oral submucous fibrosis, Leukoplakia to oral cancers (the cases of which are compounding in the state of Goa and the effects on public health and economic implications on the ex-chequer incurred for its treatment, cannot be ignored).
Systemic health related harmful effects on other organs such as lungs, liver, stomach and kidneys are well documented too.
Goa is no exception to the paan spitting pandemic.
The State-run Kadamba bus fleet too, is often seen flaunting life-sized Vimal Pan masala advertisements, with Ajay Devgan endorsing the “Zubaan Kesari” slogan. Another example is the massive hoarding as seen prominently standing across the Mandovi, on its banks, towards Porvorim.
The government should take necessary steps to eliminate such advertisements / surrogate advertisement which promote directly or indirectly the glamorization and consumption of such products.
Legislation such as the COPTA (2003) section 5 read with section 4 regarding advertisements of similar products may give the needed guideline.
We are lucky to have a medical professional as our Chief Minister, along with the efforts of our Health Minister and Dr Edwin Gomes and team, to achieve the COVID-free tag for Goa. It is my earnest appeal to Dr Pramod Sawant to take cognizance of the matter, its implications for COVID-19 and in the long run, public health implications.
As Chief Minister, sir, you are the custodian of our State and as a doctor, the custodian of the health of the people. Banning the sale, possession, consumption and advertisement of such products is the need of the hour. We are blessed to be in the ‘green zone’ for COVID-19, now, let us come out of the ‘red zone’ of Pan masala et al.
