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.

A study by the School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong shows that among smokers aged 65 or older, one in every two smoking. However, no matter how old you are or how long you have smoked, it is never too late to quit. Compared to elderly individuals who have never smoked, those who smoke have an 89%, 421%, and 63% higher risk of death from all causes (i.e., dying from different reasons), lung cancer, and heart disease, respectively. Compared to those who have already quit smoking, the risk of death from all causes, lung cancer, and heart disease decreases by 28%, 53%, and 27%, respectively.

Objectives

According to the survey conducted by the Government Census and Statistics Department in 2025, there were 538,100 daily cigarette smokers in Hong Kong, of whom 32.2% were aged 60 or above. Smokers aged 50 or above account for nearly 60% 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 500 sessions of health talks at elderly centres across the territory, reaching more than 26,000 elderly.

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

Community Smoke-free Promotion Activity

To disseminate smoke-free messages and promote a 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. In recent years, COSH has collaborated with New Territories West Elder Academies Cluster, New Territories East Elder Academies Cluster and the Hospital Authority 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