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India Today
04-08-2025
- India Today
Viral video shows paan stains splattered across London streets
A video showing paan stains splattered across parts of Harrow in London has sparked backlash, with users pointing fingers at migrant communities as the clip went viralThe clip shared online showed red stains streaked across pavements and dustbins in Harrow, particularly in the Rayners Lane and North Harrow areas. The video soon drew criticism, with a section of the users accusing paan and gutka-chewing individuals of 'ruining' public to a report by Harrow Online, the marks have become more visible in recent weeks, especially outside shops and takeaway outlets that are believed to sell gutka, paan, and other forms of chewing tobacco. The video, now circulating on various social media platforms, has drawn a mixed response. While some users slammed the act as unhygienic and disrespectful, others urged people not to generalise entire communities based on the actions of a the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harrow Online (@harrowonline1)The video has triggered conversation on civic responsibility, urban hygiene, and the need for stricter enforcement, without turning it into a matter of ethnicity or origin.- EndsMust Watch
Mint
04-08-2025
- Health
- Mint
Now, UK battles paan spitting. Viral video shows red stains on dustbins, pavements in Harrow, London
Chewing tobacco was once primarily a public nuisance in India, but now the frequent sight of red paan stains on streets and public spaces has gone global, manifesting a significant problem in Harrow, London. A viral video showing paan spit over a dustbin placed on the roadside and several other stains on trees and pathways of Harrow has triggered outrage among residents and on social media. The distressing video was shared by Harrow Online along with a report, which states that the stains are mostly found in Rayners Lane and North Harrow. Residents in the area reported that the stains have become common sight outside shops and takeaway restaurants selling chewing tobacco products. 'Paan spitting is becoming a big problem in Harrow, with stains spreading from Rayners Lane to North Harrow. Residents are calling for more action,' the caption read. The video quickly gained traction, triggering outrage as several users blamed Indians. Paan spitting has been a long-standing issue in India, with red stains marring elevators, roads, walls and other public properties across the country. A user said, 'Ban and fine people selling and chewing this.' Another user mirrored that opinion by stating, 'Let Harrow be the first council to ban it. Like I've said before concerning this disgusting practice, there are parts of the world where you can't find gum, and would never see it on pavements or stuck everywhere.' 'Indians doing their thing,' a third user reacted. 'It's disgusting and causes mouth cancer so puts more strain on the already overstretched NHS,' another user chimed in. Some users added a sarcastic twist to the issue, as one user said, 'Start checking teeth while giving visa.' According to Harrow Online, there is no law prohibiting the sale of chewing tobacco in the UK. However, retailers must be registered with HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) and follow strict regulations on storage and sales. A spokesperson for Harrow Council said, 'Paan spitting is disgusting, unhygienic and costly to remove.' The Council also noted that Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) prohibits spitting in public and fines of £100 (around ₹ 11,600) are issued to anyone caught.
NDTV
04-08-2025
- NDTV
UK Sees Surge In Paan Spitting, Video Of Stained Roads, Dustbins Viral
A video showing tobacco and paan spitting stains on the streets of London has gone viral. According to reports, these stains have been spotted in areas stretching from Rayners Lane to North Harrow. The video shows dustbins, pavements, and roads splattered with deep red marks. Residents of the Rayners Lane district claim that these stains have increased, especially outside stores and eateries that sell paan and chewing tobacco products. According to Harrow Online, people have also filed a petition against a newly opened paan shop in North Harrow. They have expressed concerns that the shop might lead to more paan chewing and spitting in the area. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harrow Online (@harrowonline1) After the video showing red stains on the streets circulated on social media, several people blamed migrants, particularly from the Indian community, for the situation. One person commented, "Gujaratis, Punjabis, Goans all menace in the UK. Trump needs to take over the UK soon." Another wrote, "We don't need other people to destroy the image of India. Our people is already doing their best work across whole world." "One of the reasons Indian passport is losing its dignity," commented another. "The British took over India, Now Indians are taking over Britain," wrote the next. Earlier, in 2019, the Leicester City police installed bilingual signboards in English and Gujarati warning residents against paan spitting. The signage read, "Spitting paan on the street is unhygienic and anti-social. You could be fined." And violation of this would lead to a fine of $150 (approx. Rs 12,525), they said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by truth. (@ In 2014, the Brent Council spent 20,000 pounds (Rs 21 lakh) to clean the paan stains left behind by people, reported Business Today. According to the Kilburn Times, The High Road in Wembley was being plagued with paan spitting in 2009, prompting calls for the council to take action. Nicola Patterson, a resident of Kilburn, started a petition to outlaw the practice in 2014.
News18
04-08-2025
- News18
‘It Is Disgusting': Paan Stains On London Pavements Spark Anger Among Locals
People living in Harrow are upset as they keep finding red paan stains on sidewalks, bins and outside shops. Paan stains have become a big problem in many well-known cities in India. Even though the government has imposed fines to stop people from spitting paan in public, the habit continues. Shockingly, this problem has now reached the streets of London. People living in Harrow are upset because they keep finding red stains on sidewalks, bins and outside shops, which has caused a lot of anger among the locals. The local council criticised this behaviour by calling it 'disgusting" and 'unhygienic." In the video shared on Instagram, a man says, 'Residents in Harrow are raising concerns over chewing tobacco and paan spitting. Particularly in Rayners Lane and North Harrow. Paan, often mixed with tobacco leaves, blood red stains on pavements, bins and shop fronts, prompting frustration amongst locals. A new shop selling paan in North Harrow has even led to a petition. Harrow council says paan spitting is 'Disgusting, unhygienic and costly to remove,' and confirmed that in July alone, 33 fines were issued. Officers have also seized over 4000 packs of illegal tobacco as part of the ongoing crackdown." Here Is How Internet Reacted Reacting to the post, a user wrote, 'Start checking teeth while giving Visa." Another shared, 'The paan shop needs to take some responsibility for selling this tobacco." 'Keep the fines up. There's no other logical solution," a comment read. An individual stated, 'Talk about painting the town red. Literally." Another mentioned, 'You spent 200 years in India, paan stains should feel like home décor by now." One more added, 'It's a big, big problem here in India too. Our residential building elevators, staircases, and common areas all have pan stains. We can't deport such people, as they are citizens, but you guys should just deport these people. Don't let them spoil your country." Steps Have Been Initiated To Prevent Future Incidents Speaking with Harrow Online, a member of the Harrow Council said, 'Paan spitting is disgusting, unhygienic and costly to remove. We know this is a real issue for local residents, and we have been carrying out a lot of work to tackle the issue. Our Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) prohibits spitting in public and fines of £100 are issued to anyone caught. We have refreshed our Paan Action Plan to target hotspot areas where paan spitting is prevalent. In July alone, 33 fines were issued to those caught spitting in public." Officers have gone to shops that sell paan and warned them to keep their shop areas clean. They reminded the owners that they must follow the rules. In a recent check, officials found and took away over 4,000 packs of illegal tobacco and 5,000 banned cigarettes. The local team said they are serious about keeping the streets clean and will take strong steps against anyone who doesn't follow the rules. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
04-08-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Paan-Indian' issue goes global: viral video of spitting stains across London streets sparks outrage
Chewing tobacco has long been a public nuisance in India, with paan stains frequently visible on streets and in public spaces. Now, the issue has crossed borders and reached Harrow in London, where tobacco consumers have been spitting paan, leaving noticeable stains across the area. A video capturing distressing scenes from the streets of Harrow has triggered outrage on social media. The viral video shows paan spit over a dustbin placed on the roadside. As the clip progresses, several stains can be seen on the trees and pathways. Shared by Harrow Online, the report states that the stains are mostly found in Rayners Lane and North Harrow. Residents in the area claimed that the stains have become common outside shops and takeaway restaurants selling chewing tobacco products. 'Paan spitting is becoming a big problem in Harrow – with stains spreading from Rayners Lane to North Harrow. Residents are calling for more action,' the caption read. Watch the viral video here: A post shared by Harrow Online (@harrowonline1) The video quickly gained traction, triggering outrage as several users blamed Indians. 'The paan shop needs to take some responsibility for selling this tobacco,' a user wrote. 'It's these illegal students and uber eats drivers . Polluting Harrow near the college on the hill,' another user commented. 'Indians doing their thing,' a third user reacted. 'It's disgusting and causes mouth cancer so puts more strain on the already overstretched NHS,' another user chimed in. In a 2010 report published by BBC UK, the Brent Council ran an education campaign to eradicate the problems of paan spitting and also imposed fines of 80 pounds on those caught spitting paan in public places. Earlier, many videos of the media reporting the growing issue in Wembley went viral.
