The Budget 2023 announced yesterday (22nd) that tobacco tax will be increased by 6 cents per cigarette, and the price of cigarettes will break through 70 yuan per pack.
A smoking cessation service organization said that it received nearly 100 requests for help in a single day yesterday, wanting to seek assistance in smoking cessation services.
Some scholars have pointed out that it is more difficult for older smokers to quit smoking. They can gradually start by reducing their smoking, and then arrange for trained personnel to contact them regularly, which is more effective than asking them to quit smoking directly.
He also pointed out that the smoking rate in Hong Kong is at a low level in the world. If the smoking rate is to be further reduced, the government should allocate more resources to help the elderly smokers quit smoking.
▼The budget announced on February 22 will increase the tobacco tax by 30%▼
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Tobacco tax hikes do little to get smokers over 10 years old to quit
Li Haoxiang, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor of the Nethersole School of Nursing at CUHK, pointed out that the effect of tobacco tax increase on reducing the smoking rate is higher for those who have never smoked or have recently smoked, but for those who have smoked for more than 10 years or even 20 to 30 years In terms of tobacco tax hikes, it will be difficult for them to quit smoking: "It is impossible to eat two packs today and not eat a single stick a day." He believes that the current smoking rate in Hong Kong is at a low level in the world. If the smoking rate is to be further reduced , the government should devote more resources to assist long-term smokers to quit smoking.
He explained that different smoking cessation methods are used by different smokers. To help older smokers quit smoking, you can start with smoking reduction, and let those who intend to quit smoking set smoking reduction goals according to their own acceptable level: "The study found that if (smokers) With autonomy, you can choose fewer points, and the success rate will be higher.”
It is more effective to arrange regular contact with ex-smokers by trained persons
He revealed that his research has found that during the smoking reduction period of those who intend to quit smoking, arrange for trainees with smoking cessation knowledge to contact them regularly, or regularly understand their smoking reduction status through mobile phone applications, and send short videos and information about smoking cessation. After half a year, you can see the effect of reducing smoking.
Li Haoxiang also mentioned that when the smoking volume of people who intend to quit smoking is reduced to a small number, they can start to persuade them to quit smoking, and the success rate of this method will definitely be higher than that of them quitting immediately:㗎, there is no possibility of success in reality. Doing everything, starting from a young age, is a very simple psychological concept, I hope to use these concepts to help people who smoke for a long time.”
He also cited another study, which found that 80-90% of smokers in Hong Kong also had other risky behaviors, such as drinking alcohol, eating irregularly, and exercising irregularly, etc. Their awareness of personal health behaviors was relatively poor, and it was more difficult for them to quit smoking .
He continued that in the future, research will be conducted to assist smoking cessation with holistic attention. In addition to focusing on smoking cessation, he will also try to help those who intend to quit smoking correct their living habits.
▼After the fiscal budget was announced on February 22 to increase the tobacco tax, the retail price of cigarettes was immediately increased by 12 yuan▼
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Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Smoking Cessation Comprehensive Service Center has nearly 100 requests for help
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Smoking Cessation Comprehensive Service Center Supervision Director Chen Jingxian pointed out that nearly 100 citizens asked for help yesterday, hoping to seek assistance in smoking cessation services.
She continued that more than half of the general ex-smokers will stop smoking within 8 to 12 weeks with the assistance of smoking cessation aids and smoking cessation counseling.
At present, smoking cessation aids are mainly divided into nicotine supplements (including smoking cessation lozenges, smoking cessation chewing gum, and smoking cessation patches), and non-nicotine supplements (varenicline and amphetamines).
The former should be used as directed by healthcare professionals or counselors, and once started, tobacco product use should be stopped completely.
The latter is an oral drug and must be prescribed after clinical assessment by a doctor.
Seek professional advice before using smoking cessation stickers
If you buy smoking cessation stickers yourself, Chen Jingxian reminds that there are two types of smoking cessation stickers, 16 hours and 24 hours, and each has different dosages, which can be selected according to the degree of nicotine dependence of ex-smokers.
Consult a healthcare professional or counselor before use.
If you have serious skin diseases such as eczema, you should consult your doctor first.
If you have any problems during the smoking cessation period, citizens can call the comprehensive smoking cessation hotline 1833183. Registered nurses will provide smoking cessation counseling and information on smoking cessation drugs.
In addition, Dr. wise, a 24-hour smoking cessation chat robot of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, can also obtain smoking cessation information, and you can also contact online counselors if necessary.
Tips for quitting smoking:
-Smoking cessation drugs can help alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal, but psychological dependence and craving need to be dealt with through psychological counseling
-Positive thinking: Imagine the benefits of quitting smoking, such as improving cardiovascular function within a few days, saving money, improving appearance, preventing family and friends from being affected by second-hand smoke, etc.
- On a date you set to quit smoking, throw away all tobacco products, ashtrays and lighters
- If drinking alcohol regularly, reduce alcohol consumption while quitting
- seek help and support from professionals, family and friends
- Make good use of smoking cessation APPS in the market to record the progress of personal smoking cessation, and set small rewards for your own success
Source: Tung Wah Group of Hospitals' Smoking Cessation Comprehensive Service Center Supervisor Chen Jingxian