Smoking Cessation

Smoking is a major cause of death and illness, including cancers, heart diseases and stroke. In the 20th century, 100 million people worldwide died from the tobacco epidemic. Today, smoking kills 5.4 million people every year. To reduce the burden from these diseases, it is of vital important to quit smoking.

The Thematic Household Survey (THS) conducted between 2007 and 2008 estimated that there were 754 800 current smokers at the time of enumeration; of which 676 900 (89.7%) had a daily smoking habit. Once the habit is formed and one is hooked to nicotine in tobacco, quitting can be difficult. The THS revealed that 226 200 (33.4%) daily cigarette smokers had tried but failed to give up smoking. Despite quitting is not easy, it can be done. The same survey also showed that some 291 800 people aged 15 and above previously had a daily cigarette smoking habit for a continuous period of six months or more but had given it up at the time of enumeration.

In Hong Kong, it is the Government’s established policy to discourage smoking and protect the public from passive smoking to the maximum extent possible through a multi-pronged approach. For more information related to tobacco control policy, please refer to Smoke-free Workplace Implementation Guide.

There are a number of services providing professional counseling and drug therapies to help smokers to quit. For more information pertaining to smoking cessation services, please visit website of Tobacco Control Office.

Smoking Cessation Hotlines

Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline of the Department of Health: 1833 183
Press 1 ： Department of Health Smoking Cessation Hotline
Press 2 ： Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Smoking Cessation Hotline
Press 3 ： Hospital Authority Quitline
Press 4 ： Pok Oi Smoking Cessation Service using Traditional Chinese Medicine

Youth Quitline, the University of Hong Kong: 2855 9557
Women Smoking Cessation Service, the University of Hong Kong: 6752 6266