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Wednesday, 29 February 2012




Spitting in the street could land you with an £80 fine

Anyone caught spitting in the street may soon face an £80 fine, if a new local government law is brought in.

The on-the-spot fine for spitting in public has been put forward by Enfield council in north London. If it is approved by the communities secretary, Eric Pickles, other councils across the country may also bring in the ban.

Almost three-quarters of people surveyed by YouGov last year said they would support a ban on spitting. In Enfield, 3,000 local people signed a petition supporting a ban, with only four people objecting.

Spitting has been illegal in the past because it has been linked to the spread of illnesses, such as colds, flu and tuberculosis (TB), which is a serious condition that can be fatal. In 1990, spitting became legal again as it was found that TB was no longer a big health risk.

However, cases of TB have been increasing in recent years, with around 9,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Cases of TB in London are particularly high.

If the ban is passed in Enfield, anyone caught spitting could be immediately fined £80 by a member of a littering patrol. Those who don’t pay could face a £5,000 fine or even prison. The only people who would not have to pay the fine would be those with a valid reason, such as a medical condition or swallowing a bee!

Enfield’s cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Chris Bond said: “Spitting is a truly disgusting habit and the vast majority of people are in favour of us banning it.”

A number of towns and cities around the world have already banned spitting, including Daytona beach in Florida and Davao in the Philippines.

What do you think? Should spitting in public be banned? Is an £80 fine for spitting fair? Tell us in a comment below…

 





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26 Comments


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  • Zackarius (Age 11) wrote on Friday, 17 February 2012 @ 13:28

    i can't stand it when people spit!

  • Tatsylego (Age 10) wrote on Friday, 17 February 2012 @ 16:21

    Spitting in the street should be banned but not fined £80

  • Jamster100 (Age 13) wrote on Friday, 17 February 2012 @ 16:31

    this is stupid, its not like anyone licks the floor then dies of tb that was in someones spit. also if they did pass the law 80 quids a bit steep considering its mainly young people that spit on the ground

  • 09AhmedA (Age 13) wrote on Friday, 17 February 2012 @ 17:58

    true i think that £80 is a bit too much maybe £10

  • bizzy4100 (Age 12) wrote on Friday, 17 February 2012 @ 22:45

    I think that banning spitting in the street is a good idea. It is a disgusting habit and could influence young children to do it too if they see someone spitting on on the street. I think that a fine of £80 is a bit steep, but I totally support having a punishment for people who do this.

  • Lexylou (Age 11) wrote on Saturday, 18 February 2012 @ 11:18

    does that mean when you are doing cross country for your school you are not allowed to spit on the floor because when you are running it gets clogged up in your throat!:D

  • Sam121 (Age 7) wrote on Saturday, 18 February 2012 @ 16:30

    Spitting in the street should be banned but not fined £80!

  • Mirri04 (Age 13) wrote on Saturday, 18 February 2012 @ 17:32

    I've never seen anyone spit in the street, but I agree with the ban. It's a disgusting, unnecessary thing to do and should be stopped.

  • MCFAN (Age 11) wrote on Sunday, 19 February 2012 @ 08:33

    I think you should be fined if you spit in the street as it is disgusting. Also it should be banned in sports as well as lots of footballers spit and they should set a good example.

  • chloe-ann (Age 11) wrote on Sunday, 19 February 2012 @ 10:00

    i think its abit over the top 2 giv them a 5,000 fine or go to prison if they dont pay the 80 i mean some people cant help spitting i know its disgusting but dont agree with the 80 fine maybe like 20 or 30

  • hani156 (Age 10) wrote on Sunday, 19 February 2012 @ 14:56

    i think yes but they could do a cheaper fine for kids

  • buzzer (Age 10) wrote on Sunday, 19 February 2012 @ 16:50

    jamster, young people go to youth jail, a kids jail. im serious. adults go to normal jail

  • chocolate8 (Age 12) wrote on Sunday, 19 February 2012 @ 18:35

    that is ridiculous what if you really need to spit like you have flem or something. and if they would ban spitting then footballers should not be aloud to spit on the football pitch

  • uptheboro (Age 13) wrote on Monday, 20 February 2012 @ 13:25

    THIS IS THE MOST STUPIDEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD.

  • kitsunela (Age 12) wrote on Monday, 20 February 2012 @ 15:04

    Spitting is almost never necessary and is just anti-social, unhygienic and pointless. Urgh.

  • Buttons060 (Age 12) wrote on Monday, 20 February 2012 @ 16:13

    I agree with the fine but prison, £5000, and even £80 is too much. Maybe £10?

  • CHERUB15 (Age 13) wrote on Monday, 20 February 2012 @ 16:59

    It is rather disgusting, but are there any people who have said it is disgusting and done it themselves?

  • lucyluxxxx (Age 10) wrote on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 @ 16:58

    Spitting in the street is horible and I don't think anyone should be allowed to spit in the street. Maybe instead id having a £80 fin maybe £50.

  • shoeless27 (Age 10) wrote on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 @ 17:00

    Does any 1 else think that that picture's disturbing???

  • GirlAbroad (Age 11) wrote on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 @ 19:18

    i think Spitting is really disgusting, but i have done it and i agree with Lexylou- what happens if you are running and your spit gets caught up into your throat- but maybe on the pavements nd it is gross if you step on it

  • gizmo123 (Age 11) wrote on Thursday, 23 February 2012 @ 17:13

    I think spitting is gross!!! I wouldn't like the fine of £80 though,I think that it should be around £35. This is gizmo's best friend. out!! lol

  • silverjam (Age 11) wrote on Friday, 24 February 2012 @ 08:06

    I think it should be banned because its gross! Outside my flat there are teenagers who spit there and trying to find a safe place to step is like a game of twister!

  • rexie (Age 10) wrote on Friday, 24 February 2012 @ 17:26

    too much of a price make it a £20 to £30

  • meme8 (Age 8) wrote on Friday, 24 February 2012 @ 19:15

    If people spit in public and the police catch them doing it they should be fined because it is disgusting!!!

  • Henderson (Age 14) wrote on Thursday, 22 March 2012 @ 17:26

    We can not control people's lives in this way. We should be allowed some freedom.

  • kawan (Age 9) wrote on Saturday, 14 April 2012 @ 15:35

    I agree that spitting should be banned. I think it right to fine someone for spitting because it is disgusting.