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Spitting in public should be banned, according to a Medway politician.
Cllr Chris Irvine, a Conservative ward councillor, spoke out after Enfield Council in London moved to fine spitters £80 each.
The by-law will be the first in Britain for 22 years if it is approved by local government secretary Eric Pickles.
Cllr Irvine said: “We’re looking at what Enfield are doing very closely. I’m not generally a fan of gesture politics but I would like to do all we can to discourage this vile habit.”
Enfield Council is Labour-controlled, but Medway Labour spokesman Cllr Tristan Osborne hit out at the idea.
The former special constable said: “Spitting is anti-social and it’s a good idea to ban it, but it would be unenforceable. Also, if you spit at someone it is already a criminal offence.”
Cllr Irvine (pictured below) disagreed, adding: “We already fine people for littering, throwing down cigarette butts and leaving dog mess. Children fall over in the street and do we really want them getting spit on their clothes?”
He admitted: “A fine may not be the best way. Perhaps if we introduced a community penalty, for example making people clean up their mess themselves.”
A spitting ban after the First World War prevented the spread of TB, and carried a fine of £5 before it was dropped in 1990. Yet there are now about 80,000 drug-resistant cases a year across Europe.
Medway Citizens Advice Bureau chief executive Dan McDonald is also backing a ban after he started a debate on Twitter.
He said: “I think I’m starting to be a fan. I believe we’re in a free society but speaking to people it seems residents would like the chance to speak to the council.”
Yet Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Geoff Juby said: “It’s not straightforward – you’ll find there are people with lung conditions who can’t help it. I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on it.”
Independent member Cllr Andy Stamp added: “What will happen next? Will we be telling people to close their mouths while they eat?”
