Quitting smoking can be a stressful time - for the smoker and their family.
Many smokers describe kicking the habit as one of the toughest challenges of their lives and often seek extra support to get them through it.
Local smoking cessation services staffed by expert advisers provide a range of proven methods to help smokers quit. They provide accurate information and advice and give professional support during the first tough months of stopping smoking.
Successful quitter
Yeung Boon-chung turned to one of those services for help with kicking his pack-a-day habit. The 56-year-old smoked for 40 years and found it difficult to give up.
“I tried to quit smoking several times in the past and failed because I wasn’t determined enough. I would light up when I was bored.”
Two years ago, Mr Yeung caught his son smoking which galvanised his resolve to quit.
“My 18-year-old son started smoking. I had to set a good example for him so I became determined to quit.”
He called a Department of Health smoking cessation clinic for help and an adviser arranged for a health assessment.
Healthcare professionals assessed his medical history, level of nicotine dependence and smoking habits. He then met with a doctor to see whether he was a good candidate for nicotine replacement therapy.
At first, Mr Yeung doubted if he could even complete the programme.
“I tried to think positively by considering the health benefits and the amount of money I would save if I quit. I thought about using the money to buy myself gifts as encouragement.”
Stub it out
Once he was placed on nicotine replacement therapy, which involves using either nicotine gum, patches, lozenges or an inhaler, Mr Yeung said he gradually weaned himself off tobacco. He was able to stop smoking after just three months of treatment.
“The decision to quit smoking affected my family and my son never picked up a cigarette again. If you care about your health and your family, you should stop smoking. Seeking help from a smoking cessation clinic already puts you on the right track to success. You must have confidence in yourself, throw away all smoking-related items and with the help of medical professionals, you can successfully quit.”
Professional help
The first Government funded “quitline”, the Department of Health’s Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline was launched in September 2001. Its counsellors are registered nurses.
Department of Health Tobacco Control Office Nursing Officer Cheung Yuen-kwan explained that the hotline’s 24-hour computerised call handling system allows callers to access different smoking cessation services provided across the city and has been instrumental in helping thousands to quit.
“Over the past 10 years, the hotline has received an average of 11,000 calls a year, with around a third of the callers having previously received information and counselling from our nurse advisers,” Ms Cheung said.
She added that aside from the Department of Health there are several smoking cessation clinics including those run by the Hospital Authority, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Pok Oi Hospital in Yuen Long and Hong Kong University’s Youth Quitline.
No smoking
A recent Government survey showed smoking has become less prevalent in Hong Kong over the years. In 2015, daily cigarette smokers aged 15 and above made up 10.5% of the population, the lowest since records began in 1982.
If you, or someone you know wants to quit smoking call the Department of Health’s smoking cessation hotline on: 1833 183 or visit the department’s website.
