Visit to the Tobacco Control Office in Hong Kong

Our group here in Hong Kong had the privilege of visiting the Department of Health Tobacco Control Office. It was established in 2001, and its purpose is to promote a smoke free culture in Hong Kong. The office is run by a nurse manager who oversees the nurses who staff the smoking cessation hotline. The hotline nurses are certified tobacco treatment specialists. That title means that they have gone through a five day training course and a minimum of 240 service hours. The nurses assess each person by asking about their smoking history, assessing their readiness and motivation to quit, giving advice and resources, and arranging further treatment. They also use motivational interviewing to help those who are not ready to quit smoking. This hotline is provided at no cost to the patient

A nurse taking a call at the smoking cessation hotline center

The eight week smoking cessation clinics are also free, including nicotine replacement therapies. Pok Oi Hospital, a government owned public hospital, runs a smoking cessation clinic that provides acupuncture as a part of treatment for free. I am impressed by the accessibility of the resources that the government has provided for the people of Hong Kong. It is quite different from our medical system that is dictated by insurance.

            The Tobacco Control Office also works to produce APIs (announcements in public interests) about tobacco use. The hotline center always sees an increase in calls received after releasing an API. They also see an increase in calls after a tax increase on tobacco products. The office raises awareness about the free service by distributing cards, flyers, and leaflets with the quitline number. Only 11% of the population in Hong Kong smokes, but 56% of those smokers have never tried to quit and have no motivation to do so. 

           Hong Kong has made tobacco control a priority in the public health department, and it is evident by the resources available and the efforts being made to help people quit. 

The Tobacco Control Office with the nurse manager and researchers from Hong Kong University.