40 per cent of BEST drivers are addicted to tobacco

Believe it or not but 40 percent of the total number of Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) drivers and conductors issuing tickets inside buses are addicted to tobacco

Believe it or not but 40 percent of the total number of Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) drivers and conductors issuing tickets inside buses are addicted to tobacco.

This means out of their total strength of 22,000 drivers and conductors; a good 8,800 have a habit of chewing and consuming either by smoking or consuming gutka.

"At least 40 percent of the drivers and conductors are consuming tobacco. We have started treatment and therapy for 100 employees from today," said Dr Anil Singal, Chief Medical Officer, BEST.

Sources said that the medical department got in touch with a healthcare agency who would be taking care of the de-addiction at a cost of Rs 14 lakh. The agency would conduct this treatment for next three months and based on the result they are planning to start treatment on remaining number of staffs.

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