International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802112017122018581858ENDepartment of Community Oncology, Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bengaluru, KarnatakaDepartment of Community Oncology, Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bengaluru, KarnatakaDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, KLE Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, KarnatakaDepartment of Orthodontics, Sri Venkateshwara Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, KarnatakaDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, KLE Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, KarnatakaDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, KLE Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka20171220<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Tobacco is a most important risk factor for various types of cancer as well as some noncommunicable disease. Around 34.6% of Indian population consume tobacco. The tobacco consumption is higher in some vulnerable population such as drivers, daily wage laborers, and<br />policemen. Tobacco consumption is known to cause oral cancers, and screening for oral cancer in these individuals is known to reduce mortality from cancer. The study was designed to assess the determinants of tobacco use and the prevalence of oral precancerous lesions in cab drivers.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">This is a cross‑sectional study among cab drivers at prepaid taxi counters in Bengaluru city. A total of 450 cab drivers were enrolled in the study, of which 225 cab drivers were interviewed during morning hours and remaining half at night time using a semi‑structured questionnaire. All<br />were screened for oral cancer/precancerous lesions.</span></p><p><strong><span class="fontstyle2"> </span></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Nearly 70.88% of cab drivers were consuming tobacco in any form. Long working hours, working at night, and family members consuming tobacco were signifcant risk factors for tobacco use among cab drivers. Forty‑eight drivers were detected to have oral precancerous lesions. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">It was very evident that long hours of driving and infrequent shifts played a greater role in acquiring the habit. Behavioral counseling and new laws need to be formed to limit the working hours in drivers to have an effective tobacco control.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Early detection of cancer, leukoplakia, tobacco use disorder</span> <br style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1858http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1858/2147