Now, school bus drivers using tobacco on duty to be given the boot

The School Bus Owners Association (SBOA) has now decided to terminate drivers and cleaners for consuming tobacco or smoking while working in school buses. The association has taken this decision to create more awareness about possibly getting cancer, amongst employees who are consume tobacco.

This decision will take effect from the following academic year. In three months, SBOA will create awareness through professional doctors & NGOs to make tobacco consumers and smokers aware of deadly diseases like cancer.

Anil Garg, chairperson, SBOA said that the warning of termination is only to help smokers break the habit. He added: "Drivers or cleaners consuming tobacco not only affect students ferrying in the bus, but even their own children don't come near them because their mouth stinks."

There are around 20,000 school buses registered with the SBOA, and more than 15,000 drivers and cleaners who work under the association, providing school bus service across city schools.

Deepak Naik, SBOA secretary echoed Garg's sentiments and said that the awareness is not just being spread among their male staff, but also among the women who consume tobacco.

He added: "The awareness program began in January, and we are receiving good response from schools. It is being conducted because we care for their families, and don't want the staff to get affected with cancer at such a young age."