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The Tobacco Control Office (TCO) of the Department of Health today (October 5) launched a new computerised telephone hotline 1833 183 to further improve its stop smoking service to the public.
Senior Medical Officer of the TCO Dr Christine Wong said the easy-to-remember hotline had extra capacity to meet the demand for stop smoking service which is expected to increase due to the anticipated enactment of the legislative amendments to Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance.
"We learnt from overseas experience that new tobacco control measures usually leads to greater demand for the service," Dr Wong said.
By phoning the hotline during office hours, callers can choose to talk direct to registered nurses to seek professional advice on stopping smoking.
They can also get access to real-time assessment on nicotine dependency and obtain information by fax on drugs for stopping smoking. Referrals for stop smoking clinics can also be arranged if necessary.
People can also call the hotline anytime to obtain pre-recorded information on stopping smoking in Cantonese, Putonghua and English.
"Family members and friends of smokers are also encouraged to make use of the hotline as their advice and support is essential in helping smokers they know to kick the habit," Dr Wong said.
She said it was a well-known fact that smoking was a major contributing factor for the leading causes of death in Hong Kong.
"It is vitally importance to prevent people from smoking and help smokers to quit the deadly habit."
Public response to the stop smoking hotline service has been encouraging. More than 9,000 calls have been handled by the TCO since the hotline was set up in September, 2001.
The number of calls is also on the rise. A total of 2,261 calls were received in the first seven months of this year, as compared to 1,624 calls in the same period last year.
More information on smoking cessation is also available on TCO's website at www.tco.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:51
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