Myanmar’s deadly habit

Dangerous addiction: A betel seller preparing ‘kun ja’ at his shop near Naypyidaw. — AFP

YANGON: As he manoeuvres his taxi through the barely moving traffic of downtown Yangon, Myo Min Htaike’s jaw methodically pounds a pulpy mass of nuts and tobacco, his teeth stained a dark blood-red.

Plying his trade in the seemingly eternal gridlock of Myanmar’s now booming commercial hub, he is more than used to spending long days on the roads and kun ja – better known as betel nut or quid – is the one thing that keeps him going. “I’m so sleepy when I start driving the taxi,” the 32-year-old says. “So I eat kun ja to help me stay awake.”