Elderly Smoking Cessation Promotion Project

Background

Cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemical substances, including three major "killers" - carbon monoxide, tar, and nicotine, along with more than 70 carcinogens and other harmful radioactive substances such as polonium-210, methanol, and butane. Smoking adversely affects the health of both smokers and non-smokers. It harms nearly every organ in the body, and research indicates that one in two smokers will die prematurely due to smoking. The substances released in secondhand smoke are even more harmful than those in active smoking. Prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic respiratory illnesses.

In recent years, public awareness of the dangers of smoking has grown significantly. However, some elderly smokers, particularly those who have been smoking for a long time, are influenced by misconceptions about smoking and quitting. They often underestimate the harm of smoking and mistakenly believe that quitting can lead to severe health issues, which prevents them from quitting smoking.

According to a cohort study on smoking and mortality of elderly Chinese in Hong Kong released by the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong in 2014, the excess risk of current smokers was 421% for lung cancer, 501% for COPD and 63% for cardiovascular disease mortality. Smoking kills one in every two elderly smokers aged 65 or above and one out of four elderly smokers aged 85 or above.

Objectives

According to the survey conducted by the Government Census and Statistics Department in 2023, there were 577,000 daily cigarette smokers in Hong Kong, of whom 29.4% were aged 60 or above. Smokers aged 50 or above account for over half of all smokers in Hong Kong. Most of the elderly people do not fully understand the health impact of smoking particularly secondhand smoke. Furthermore, the intention to quit among elderly smokers is generally low. COSH has been dedicated to promoting a smoke-free lifestyle. To address the needs of the elderly and encourage them to pursue a smoke-free, healthy life, the “Elderly Smoking Cessation Promotion Project” has been launched since 2012, with the aims to inform tobacco hazards, clarify misconceptions about smoking cessation and encourage the elderly to kick the smoking habit.

In the Elderly Smoking Cessation Promotion Project, COSH promotes the smoke-free messages through various channels, including health talks, visits to elderly centres, community promotion activities and media promotion, etc.

Health Talks

Health talks are organized in an interactive and interesting approach to promote the benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle and remind the elderly of the importance of quitting smoking. Since 2012, COSH has delivered over 460 sessions of health talks at elderly centres across the territory, reaching more than 24,000 elderly.

Download the application form for the health talk (In Chinese only)

Community Smoke-free Promotion Activity

To disseminate smoke-free messages and promotea smoke-free lifestyle among the elderly and the public, COSH organizes various community smoke-free promotion activities, including visits to elderly centres, smoke-free workshops, outreach promotions, etc. Since 2017, COSH collaborated with New Territories West Elder Academies Cluster (NTWEAC), an organization funded by the Elderly Commission, to recruit “Smoke-free Elderly Ambassadors” and organize activities to encourage smoking cessation and promote a smoke-free lifestyle among the elderly. The Ambassadors have been promoting smoking cessation to smokers and disseminating the smoke-free messages through elderly centre visits, other community activities as well as in their daily life.

Resources

Withdrawal Symptoms

(In Chinese only)

Quit Earlier, Benefit More

Third-hand Smoke