ENG-2008 — Page 217

Health 165

Publicity and Education

An independent statutory body, the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health. (COSH), has also been set up to advise the Government on matters relating to smoking, passive smoking and health and to publicise the hazards of smoking. COSH conducted a number of publicity and community involvement campaigns to nurture a smoke-free culture and encourage smokers to stop smoking. The council also conducts education and publicity campaigns at kindergartens, primary and secondary schools through health talks and theatre programmes. The aim is to encourage students to say 'no' to smoking and to support actively a smoke-free environment. COSH's publicity and educational programmes attracted an attendance of about 68 000 people in 2008. In addition, the council launched a territory-wide publicity drive called 'Smoke-Free Hong Kong' which included broadcasts on TV and radio. The council also operates a website www.smokefree.hk and a telephone. hotline to receive enquiries and suggestions from the public on smoking and health.

Smoking Cessation

The Department of Health offers smoking cessation services at four clinics. It also makes announcements of public interest on TV and radio, conducts seminars and issues health education materials to increase public awareness of the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke, and solicits public support for a smoke- free environment and the anti-smoking law.

To strengthen its efforts on smoking prevention and cessation, the department has entered into a funding and service agreement with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals for provision of a three-year pilot community-based smoking cessation. programme which commences in January 2009. The programme covers a range of activities and services including smoking cessation service, education for the public, training for healthcare professionals and research projects. Four smoking cessation centres have been set up across Hong Kong to provide smoking cessation services free of charge.

The Hospital Authority has also been providing smoking cessation services to the public through its two full-time and 27 part-time centres in public hospitals and outpatient clinics. The centres are manned by trained nurses and pharmacists who provide counselling and medicines to help people stop smoking. Smokers trying to quit can make appointments or make enquiries on a hotline, called 'quit-line' operated by the Hospital Authority.

Disease Prevention and Control

The new Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, namely the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation came into effect on July 14, 2008 to replace the former Quarantine and Prevention of Disease. Ordinance. The Ordinance ensures that the laws of Hong Kong are in line with the requirements of the International Health Regulations (2005) of the World Health Organisation and strengthens the infectious disease control structure of Hong Kong so that the territory can tackle infectious diseases in a more effective manner and cope with public health emergencies.