Kick-off Ceremony for World No Tobacco Day 2023 cum Smoke-free Sportswear Day

To echo World No Tobacco Day, Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) organized a kick-off ceremony cum carnival under the theme of “Get Set, Go! Towards our Tobacco-free Future” on 28 May (today) in order to call for the public participation in joining “Smoke-free Sportswear Day” on 31 May. It is the third consecutive year that COSH has held “Smoke-free Sportswear Day” to encourage the members of the public to dress sporty and take part in sport activities, in particular, smokers were recommended to do exercises to increase the chance of successful quitting. The ceremony was officiated by Prof LO Chung-mau (Secretary for Health), Dr Ronald LAM Man-kin (Director of Health), Mr Henry FAN Hung-ling (Chairman, Hospital Authority), Mr Henry TONG Sau-chai (COSH Chairman), Dr Johnnie CHAN Chi-kau (COSH Vice-chairman) and Ms Vienna LAI Wai-yin (COSH Executive Director).

Prof LO Chung-mau, The Secretary for Health remarked, “Numerous research proved the causes of premature death and some chronic diseases shown to be causally related to smoking. Hong Kong holds on the global rank of places with the lowest smoking prevalence. However, the long-term goal of the Government is to eliminate smoking hazards for the sake of public health. With the successful implementation of tobacco control policies over the past four decades, our smoking prevalence came down to 9.5% from 23% in the 1980s. We are determined to strengthen tobacco control measures through a comprehensive and multipronged strategy in order to achieve the target of further reducing the city's smoking prevalence to 7.8% by 2025. Public consultation on the development of tobacco control will be conducted next month. I hope people from all walks of life would express their views actively in submission.”

Mr Henry TONG Sau-chai, COSH Chairman said, “According to the survey conducted by the Census and Statistic Department, around 70% of the daily conventional cigarette smokers had never tried to quit smoking, and hence, we have to step up efforts in boosting their motivation. To further reduce smoking population, it’s vital to prevent people from becoming smokers, apart from smoking cessation. A proposal to ban the possessions and uses of these alternative smoking products shall also be considered in the next phase to deter the next generation from taking up smoking.”

To create a supportive atmosphere for smoking cessation, cross-country runner Mr CHAN Kwok-keung, artists Cath WONG, Paula AU and champion of the 13^th “Quit to Win” Contest, Mr CHENG Wai-kit disseminated smoke-free messages through demonstration of stretching exercises and sharing. Non-smokers could help smokers manage withdrawal symptoms through exercising with companionship. By sharing his quit journey, Mr Cheng encouraged smokers not to give up when fighting the urge to smoke in quitting. Cravings and withdrawal symptoms will be gone if determination is strong enough.

After the ceremony, Dr Kingsley CHAN (Honorary Consultant of the Hospital Authority, Dermatologist), Mr William CHUI (President of The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong) and Prof LAM Tai-hing (Emeritus Professor of The University of Hong Kong; Honorary Clinical Professor of School of Public Health of HKU) conducted a sharing session to clarify the common misconceptions about the harms of smoking and promote the importance of being smoke-free to the public. The topics covered “Smoking's Effect on the Skin”, “The Truth about Use of Waterpipe Tobacco and Alternative Smoking Products” and “Smoking and All-Cause Mortality in Elderly”.

The carnival was held and supported by eight organizations and smoking cessation service providers with the provision of interesting game and exhibition booths to enhance the participant’s awareness on tobacco hazards, smoking cessation and tobacco control. “Smoke-free Sportswear Day” was the highlighted activity under “Get Set, Go! Towards our Tobacco-free Future” publicity programme. Companies, organizations, non-profit organizations, hospitals and schools have been invited to facilitate their staff, members, teachers and students to participate and support by wearing sportswear and doing exercise on 31 May, with an aim to create a supportive social atmosphere for smoking cessation, leading us to the tobacco-free future. For more information about the “Smoke-free Sportswear Day”, please visit the website at https://exercise.smokefree.hk

Photo 1: Officiating guests demonstrated a determination of tobacco control and led us in journey of Tobacco-free Future.

Photo 2: Cross-country runner Mr CHAN Kwok-keung, artists Cath WONG, Paula AU and quitter, Mr CHENG Wai-kit demonstrated stretching exercises and shared quit tips.

Photo 3: Guests visited booths to show the support to smoking cessation service partners.

Photo 4: Interesting and informative game booths were set up in carnival in disseminating smoke-free messages which were well-received by the participants.