Beware! Spitting in Public Costly as Dubai Launches Clean Drive

Beware! Spitting in Public Costly as Dubai Launches Clean Drive
(Joy Sengupta-Khaleej Times) 7 October 2008
DUBAI — A month-long campaign, titled ‘Say Yes to a Clean Naif’, will be launched by Dubai Municipality on Wednesday. The campaign is aimed at creating awareness about the unhealthy practices of spitting in public places, littering and drying of clothes in the balconies of buildings, municipality officials said on Monday.
“Spitting in public places is a serious problem. Many people, who chew betel leaves and tobacco products, tend to spit anywhere they wish without any concern for hygiene,” said municipality spokesperson Ismail Miladi.
Though there is no penalty or fine for hanging clothes in the open, municipality rules stipulate a fine of Dh500 for spitting and littering in public. The municipality will organise road shows and publicise the event in the print and electronic media.
“We need to keep the city clean. The Dubai Municipality is sure that the campaign will bear fruit and people will understand the importance of keeping their localities clean and hygienic.
“The municipality has placed several big and small garbage bins in the city for people to throw waste in them,” officials said.
The sale of betel and any of its derivatives is prohibited.
Those caught selling such products risk fines up to Dh5,000, officials said.
“People providing information about the sale of such products are rewarded up to Dh2,000 depending on the size of the seizure of prohibited items,” officials said. People wanting to report violators can call the municipality’s toll free number 800-900.
joy@khaleejtimes.com