The number of daily cigarette smokers had fallen from 23.3% in 1982 to 11.8% in 2008. Though there is an overall decline in the smoking population, the smoking prevalence of Hong Kong women is kept at a steady level reflecting an alarming situation of women smoking in Hong Kong.
Smoke-free women promotion
Women Smoking: Hong Kong Trend
| No. of daily smokers | Percentage | Average daily consumption | Age group of highest smoking rate(percentage) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 571, 000 | 84% | 14 cigarettes | 30-39 (21.2%) 40-49 (25.5%) 50-59 (21.5%) |
| Female | 105, 900 | 16% | 11 cigarettes | 20-29 (25.4%) 30-39 (33.4%) |
| Total | 676, 900 | 100% | 14 cigarettes | 30-39 (23.1%) 40-49 (24.6%) |
Women Smoking: Global Trend
| Proportion of smokers in China (percentage) | Global smoking population | No. of tobacco related deaths per year | Projected no. of tobacco related deaths in 2030 | No. of deaths caused by passive smoking globally (percentage) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 97% | Over 800 million | About 350 million | About 550 million | 21.6 million (36%) + |
| Female | 3% | About 200 million | About 150 million | About 250 million ** | 38.4 million (64%)* + |
| Total | About 3 million | 1 billion + | About 500 million | About 800 million | More than 60 million |
* More than 50% of the Chinese women are frequently exposed to second-hand smoke
** 75% of the women deaths come from middle-low income countries
Tactics of Tobacco Industry: Marketing to women
The tobacco manufacturers now actively seeking new customers to replace former customers whom have already quit smoking and current customers with high risk of suffering from premature deaths of cancer, heart disease, stroke, emphysema and other tobacco-related disease.
- Current global smoking women population is far less than men. In view of the changes in social roles and socio-economic status, women become the new market segment of the tobacco manufacturers.
- Tobacco products are labeled as “low tar, soft, light” to appeal women and female smoking is symbolic of “freedom, trendy, slenderness, glamour, romance and independence”.
- The design of cigarette packs targeted on women is slim, moderate and falvor-added. To achieve promotion of tobacco brand, tobacco industry has extended their products by crossovers with famous fashion brands.
Smoking and female diseases
Smoking can cause many fatal diseases and bring large health threat to women. Not only endanger their own health, but also affect their next generation.
Affect the appearance
Aging of skin and winkles, yellowish teeth and dull nails.
Fertility and gynecological diseases
Abortion, early menopause and affect fetal development. For more details, please click here .
Severe illness
Can cause a variety of cancer, respiratory disease and affect body functions. For more details, please click here .
Smoking cessation for women
According to thematic household survey report No. 36, 58% of women smoke due to peer influence.
- There are 60,100 (56.7%) women smokers in Hong Kong who have not attempted or do not want to quit smoking. “Not determined enough” is the major reason for their failure. The intention to quit smoking amongst women is low though they are aware of the smoking cessation services in Hong Kong.
- Majority women want to quit because of health concerns, 40% of them wish to have improvement of their appearance after cessation, which is different from men.
- According to the “Women cessation research” by University of Hong Kong, most women smoke since they experienced emotional problem or anxiety. Apart from heavy dependence on nicotine, their deterred women from smoking cessation, emotional problems, weight gain and hormonal imbalance.
2010 Smoke-free women
The theme of 23rd WHO World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2010 is “Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women” so as to increase the awareness of the negative impact of women smoking, controlling tobacco epidemic in women and calling on international government to ban all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
Announcement for Public Interests
COSH produces a new API with smoke-free women as theme in year 2010 to promote smoke-free healthy life style among women and encourage women to quit smoking.
Click here to view the API.
Click here to view the API.
Radio Program
Through the 881 and 903 channels of Commercial Radio, COSH promotes the smokefree messages to Hong Kong women with the following highlights :
- 1. Impacts of smoking on women’s health and appearance;
- 2. Tips of smoking cessation; and
- 3. Developments of smoke-free environment for family.
Please refer the Chinese version for details of the radio programmes.
