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Daily cigarette smoking prevalence rate dropped further (with photo)

The percentage of daily cigarette smokers aged 15 and above in the local population further decreased from 11.1 per cent in 2010 to 10.7 per cent in 2012, as revealed in the latest Thematic Household Survey Report published by the Census and Statistics Department today (November 8).

Commenting on the survey findings, the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, said this continuous drop of the percentage is a good indication of the effectiveness of the comprehensive tobacco control measures adopted by the Government, including legislation, taxation, law enforcement, health promotion and provision of smoking cessation services.

"Although our daily cigarette smoking prevalence continues to be one of the lowest around the world, we cannot afford complacency," she said, pointing out that about half of the smokers remain reluctant to even try giving up smoking.

"We will continue to work closely with our community partners to raise awareness of the hazards of smoking, second-hand and third-hand smoke. We will strengthen and promote smoking cessation services provided by the Government and the non-governmental organisations (NGOs)," Professor Chan said.

The Head of the Tobacco Control Office of the Department of Health, Dr Christine Wong, added that the Government will continue to strengthen its educational and promotion efforts in the coming year.

"Together with the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health and the NGOs, we plan to launch quit-smoking campaigns targeting at specific age groups.

"This year, we will also collaborate with an NGO to organise a kindergarten pilot programme. It aims to educate the kindergarten children the harms of tobacco and enhance their skills in protecting themselves from second-hand smoke. Innovative and interactive teaching materials will be developed and pilot-tested in kindergartens," Dr Wong said.

Looking ahead, Professor Chan said that to safeguard public health, the Government hopes to bring down the smoking prevalence further to below 10 per cent.

"To achieve this, we need both closer collaboration with our partners and wider community support for us to do more on tobacco control front," she said.

Ends/Friday, November 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:01

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(Photo)