The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region launched Wednesday a series of activities with a view to promoting health messages to the public and helping smokers in their efforts to quit smoking.
Secretary for Health and Welfare E.K. Yeoh, Chairman of the Hospital Authority Lo Ka-Shui, and Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority William Ho officiated at the opening ceremony of the "Community Health Day" and the "Smoking Counseling and Cessation Program" at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
"Community Health Day" comprised health talks and exhibitions that attracted over 1,000 people.
Moreover, the "Smoking Counseling and Cessation Program" marked the launching of smoking counseling and cession services in May this year, during which 10 centers and a telephone hotline will be set up to provide counseling and follow-up services as well as Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help smokers quit smoking.
Yeoh pointed out that international data had time and again confirmed that helping people quit smoking could yield significant health and economic benefits to the community. On the other hand, a recent Household Survey conducted in Hong Kong indicated that 41.8 percent of the current daily smokers are reported to have tried to stop smoking, which showed that plenty of smokers did not know where to look for assistance when they desired to quit.
Yeoh added that smoking was the biggest preventable cause of death both in Hong Kong and worldwide. In Hong Kong alone, about 5,500 people die in smoking-related diseases each year, and the smokers account for about 15 percent of Hong Kong's total population.
"Apart from active smoking, the health risks of passive smoking is also well-proven. Secondhand smoke, with more than 40 carcinogenic substances, can lead to lung cancer and heart disease under prolonged exposure," Yeoh stressed.
(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2002)
