World Health Organization has designated 31 May as World No Tobacco Day every year. Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) will launch a publicity programme with the theme of Smoke-free Family in order to promote a smoke-free lifestyle among the general public and gather their support to encourage smoking family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours to kick the habit.
COSH, in collaboration with Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 2, organized a kick-off event today (31 May) to introduce the programme’s details and invite the public to join the Smoke-free Family. Officiating guests included Prof Sophia CHAN (Under Secretary for Food and Health), Dr Constance CHAN (Director of Health), Mr CHAN Yiu-wah (Assistant Director (Radio & Corporate Programming), Radio Television Hong Kong), Prof LAM Tai-hing (Chair Professor of Community Medicine & Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong), Mr Antonio KWONG (COSH Chairman), Ms Yolanda NG (COSH Vice-chairman) and Mr Alex FONG (Smoke-free Ambassador).
Prof Sophia CHAN Siu-chee, Under Secretary for Food and Health remarked that the Government would continue to study other effective measures on public health, such as enlarging the size of pictorial health warnings on the package of tobacco products to maintain and strengthen the deterrent effect. The Government is now working on the details of the legislation and will propose to the Legislative Council when appropriate.
Mr Antonio KWONG, COSH Chairman said, “The theme of Smoke-free Family will be incorporated into various programmes of COSH this year in order to urge the public to say no to cigarettes, as well as to encourage their loved ones, including family members, friends and colleagues to quit smoking and build a Smoke-free Family.”
Mr Alex FONG, Smoke-free Ambassador performed the programme’s theme song produced by musician Mr Mark LUI, who has quitted smoking. They hoped that the song could support smokers to get rid of cigarettes and live a healthy smoke-free lifestyle. Pop girl group Super Girls and DJ Mr Alex LEE promoted the benefits of smoking cessation and shared tips to help smokers kick the habit through games. Mr Alex Lee also shared his successful quit story and remarked that encouragement from others were crucial.
Besides, Nothing Serious, a local artist, was invited to design a series of keyarts to support quitters to beat their addiction. The public can share their photos with photo frames designed by Nothing Serious on social media to disseminate smoke-free messages.
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The guests made a pledge to join the Smoke-free Family.
Smoke-free Ambassador Mr Alex FONG and Mr Mark LUI hoped that the programme’s theme song could encourage smokers to get rid of cigarettes.