Press Release

Press Release

Smoking cessation programme by acupuncture well received

28 Mar 2012

A vast majority of smokers taken part in a smoking cessation programme with the use of acupuncture has expressed their satisfaction towards the service. The programme, which is subvented by the Department of Health (DH), has helped many smokers to quit the habit since its launch in April 2010.

The programme is a joint effort by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Pok Oi Hospital (POH) and the DH.

Free acupuncture and counseling services are provided to smokers by POH Chinese medicine practitioners (CMP) in 18 community-based mobile clinics which covered over 90 spots across Hong Kong.

The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine provides expertise in designing the treatment protocol and training to the CMPs for delivery of acupuncture.

Reviewing the progress of the programme in a press conference today (March 28), the Head of DH’s Tobacco Control Office, Dr Raymond Ho, said the programme targets smokers aged 18 or above who are suitable for receiving acupuncture after assessment by CMPs.

Up until the end of 2011, a total of 2,388 clients have received the smoking cessation service. Among them, 64% is male smokers while 36% is female smokers. About 60% aged between 30 and 49.

Around 65% of the smokers had a long history of smoking for more than 20 years and about 30% have consumed more than one pack of cigarette per day. Some 51% of them are considered having high level of nicotine dependence and about half of the clients have tried to quit repeatedly by employing different methods.

Dr Ho said, “Feedback to the programme is positive. Preliminary clinical findings have shown that acupuncture is an effective way to quit smoking and no serious side effect has been reported so far.”

Smokers who wish to quit are encouraged to seek further information about this free smoking cessation service at POH’s hotline 2607 1222 or visit its website at www.pokoi.org.hk/en/main.aspx .