Back in the early 1970's I remember that there was a ban on spitting in public, but the law stopped.  This was because previously TB could be carried in spittle and saliva. 

Now with Covid-19, it appears saliva can stay active for a week or more. 

So should this old law be brought back? 

Edited by user 13 April 2020 00:01:47(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

A quick Google search shows this. 

Is it illegal to spit in the UK?

Fining offence

Until 1990, spitting was an offence carrying a £5 fine in the UK. In recent years the idea of fines for spitting has re-emerged. In 2013, Enfield council in London introduced a by-law to make spitting in public illegal. (12 Mar 2018)

Back in the early 1970's we had bobbies on the beat to enforce such laws. Chief Constables are already cutting back on what they respond to in light of reduced numbers in operational staff so what is the point of adding a wholly insignificant (in the grand scheme of things) petty law to the demands placed upon front line officers.

Councils have discovered their personnel can prosecute this under existing littering laws.

So to answer the post No we don't need a specific offence being created.

I have never understood why some people find it necessary to spit, which is a disgusting habit popularised by footballers, but which at the present time is a dangerous thing to do  So yes, I think it should be a criminal offence; the problem being that there aren't enough police to enforce it, so probably pointless to load the statute book with yet another offence that is not enforced.