To echo the World No Tobacco Day (31 May), Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) has launched a publicity programme with the theme of “Smoke-free Channel”. The programme aims to encourage the mass public to say no to all forms of tobacco products and share smoke-free messages via the street promotion, online platform and networks of different organizations, as well as to motivate smokers to develop healthy hobbies for replacing smoking.
COSH, in collaboration with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Radio 1 organized a kick-off event today (31 May). Officiating guests included Prof Sophia CHAN, JP (Secretary for Food and Health), Dr Constance CHAN, JP (Director of Health), Mr Brian CHOW (Controller (Radio), RTHK), Mr David HO (Head of Chinese Programme Service, RTHK), Mr Antonio KWONG, MH (COSH Chairman) and Ms Vienna LAI (COSH Executive Director).
Prof Sophia CHAN, Secretary for Food and Health remarked that the Government has been adopting a multi-pronged approach in tobacco control, comprising legislation, law enforcement, publicity, education, provision of smoking cessation services and taxation to discourage smoking, contain the proliferation of tobacco use and minimize the impact of passive smoking on the public. With the concerted efforts by the Government and other stakeholders over the years, smoking prevalence among persons aged 15 and above has significantly dropped from over 20% in the 1980s to 10% at present. The Government has also laid down the target of further reducing smoking prevalence to 7.8% by 2025 in “Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong”.
Antonio KWONG, COSH Chairman encouraged everyone to say no to all forms of tobacco products including conventional cigarettes and new smoking products such as electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn products at the ceremony. He said, “ The Smoke-free Channel is a dedicated platform for sharing smoke-free messages, as well as to motivate smokers to live a smoke-free lifestyle and replace the smoking habit by healthy hobbies like doing exercise, listening to music, painting and dancing.”
Performers and artists joined hands to promote the benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle through live music and art performances. Performers included “Medipella”, a cappella group formed by doctors; “E Major”, an elderly band of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals; “Miracle”, band of Children’s Cancer Foundation and Artkids Studio Hong Kong. Artists Stephanie CHENG, Ken HUNG and Mag LAM also spread smoke-free messages through singing performances.
Besides, three video clips were premiered at the ceremony featuring the life stories of FUNG Kam Hung (an amputee runner), Kenus MOK (a member of Hong Kong roller sports team who had dyslexia), and Ernest CHAU (a bike tour guide who successfully quitted smoking), which brought to the audience the importance of perseverance when facing difficult situations and encourage the smokers never give up quitting. Prof LAM Tai-hing, Chair Professor of Community Medicine cum Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong and quitter Ms Constance So were also invited to demonstrate “Zero Time Exercise” and share quit tips.
A set of smoke-free keyarts and WhatsApp stickers were created by the Smoke-free Ambassador, B.Duck, for sharing of smoke-free tips among social media network. Promotion activities of “Smoke-free Channel” will be held in May to June 2019. The mass public are welcomed to join the Channel as a member, share smoke-free messages and get a chance to win fabulous prizes. For details, please visit the programme website www.smokefree.hk/channel or Smoke-free Family Facebook Page www.facebook.com/smokefreefamily.
Around 70 guests from different sectors joined hands to support the event and strive for smoke-free Hong Kong.
The officiating guests kicked off the event and showed their support for replacing smoking by developing heathy hobbies.
“Medipella”, a cappella group formed by doctors performed their original music to spread smoke-free messages.
