Banning new cigarettes｜It is more difficult to quit using traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes at the same time

The government has imposed a total ban on the import and sale of e-cigarettes and heating cigarettes. It is believed that some people may choose to quit smoking.

There are many institutions in Hong Kong that provide smoking cessation services. It is expected that after the sale of new tobacco products is banned, the demand for smoking cessation will increase, and the number of services will be increased as needed.

Family doctors pointed out that in the early stage, quitters were unable to adapt to the decline in nicotine levels immediately, and developed withdrawal symptoms. The longer they smoked and the more nicotine-dependent smokers, the drugs can help smokers for about two to three months. The course of treatment can quit smoking.

In 2019, the smoking rate of people aged 15 or over in Hong Kong was 10.2%. If heating cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hand-rolling cigarettes and water pipes, etc., the smoking rate is increased to 10.5%, the government aims to reduce it to 7.8% by 2025.

There are a variety of smoking cessation services in the market. According to the information provided by various organizations, the target of the smoking cessation plan covers young people to adults, new immigrants and ethnic minorities. Basically, there is no need to wait for the service. Most of the services are free, including China Tobacco Acupuncture and Moxibustion. With ear massage, peer counseling, and prescription drug support, the smoking cessation rate ranges from 20% to 50%.

Government's new anti-smoking strategy increases demand for smoking cessation services

It is worth noting that the 2019-2020 study of the Hong Kong University School of Medicine shows that from 2019 to 2020, 86% of young people seeking help have used e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes, and 51% used traditional cigarettes and heated cigarettes or e-cigarettes at the same time. The latter is more difficult to quit smoking.

The medical school stated that based on past experience, the number of requests for help for smoking cessation will increase after the government has introduced new control policies. For example, after the government’s legislation in 2007 extended the scope of the statutory no-smoking area to all indoor areas of restaurant premises, the Department of Health’s integrated smoking cessation hotline for help calls An increase of about 26%, the number of people seeking help is expected to increase this time.

The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Lok Sin Tong, Hospital Authority, United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service and Pok Oi Hospital have all stated that they will adjust their manpower to respond to actual needs.

The Department of Health has been funding non-governmental organizations to provide smoking cessation services. Past data shows that most of them can get the services on the same day, and the success rate of smoking cessation is about 28% to 46%.

From 2018 to 2020, the department's comprehensive smoking cessation hotline handled an average of about 7,500 calls per year; from 2021 to July, the hotline handled more than 4,700 calls.

Approximately 4,500 people use smoking cessation clinic services each year

From 2018 to 2020, an average of 4,500 smokers will receive the above-mentioned smoking cessation clinic services each year.

As of July 2021, more than 3,800 smokers received the service.

The smoking cessation treatment provided by the smoking cessation clinic generally lasts for eight weeks and will be adjusted according to personal circumstances.

Lin Yonghe said that some smokers have successfully quit smoking after choosing medication for two to three months.

(Data Picture/Photo by Zhong Weide)

Smokers are dependent on nicotine. When they quit smoking, their body may not be able to adapt to the drop in nicotine level immediately, and they may experience short-term discomfort, that is, "withdrawal symptoms."

According to the website of the Department of Health, common symptoms include dizziness, headache, tiredness, irritability, lack of concentration, dry throat, cough, easy hunger, increased appetite, etc. The symptoms vary from person to person, and some quitters even have no discomfort.

Generally speaking, the symptoms are more obvious in the first week of quitting smoking, and then gradually subside. Most of the discomforts only last for two to three weeks.

Successfully quit smoking after two to three months of medication

Family doctor Lin Yonghe said that the longer smokers smoke and consume tobacco products with higher nicotine levels, the more obvious their withdrawal from smoking when they quit. People who quit smoking can choose "nicotine replacement therapy", that is, use quit chewing gum, quit sticks, and quit smoking. Inhalation and smoking cessation candy; "non-nicotine drugs" can also be used to target brain receptors related to nicotine addiction and relieve the symptoms of withdrawal and the craving for smoking.

He shared the experience of smokers who successfully quit smoking after taking drugs. The drug dose was gradually increased during the first week. During this period, the drug was still smoking. After the dose was increased to the eighth day, there was no need to rely on cigarettes. After about two to three months of treatment, he successfully quit smoking.

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