Click here to register
Service Introduction
Since 2010, Pok Oi Hospital has collaborated with the Department of Health and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Science Acupuncture Institute to launch the “Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Program”. The smoking cessation program has now expanded to 41 Chinese medicine clinics and mobile clinics, providing services in over 170 locations on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories. Pok Oi Hospital has also arranged nighttime smoking cessation services to meet the needs of working individuals. Since the launch of the service, as of March 2020, free traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture smoking cessation services have been accessed by over 12,000 smokers, and a total of over 100,000 visits have been recorded.
Success Rates in Smoking Cessation
The Hospital collaborated with the Hong Kong Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Science to hold a press conference on the Chinese medicine acupuncture smoking cessation program. Data from smokers who participated in the program from April 2012 to March 2013 were collected and analysed. The results showed that out of the 1,149 participants, the smoking cessation success rate at 26 weeks after completing the “basic acupuncture smoking cessation treatment” was 41.6%, and at 52 weeks it was 34.4%. Additionally, even for those who were not able to quit smoking successfully, 90% of them were able to reduce their daily cigarette consumption by half after receiving the treatment.
How Traditional Chinese Medicine Helps Smoking Cessation
Acupuncture for smoking cessation can recalibrate the overall body function of smokers, promote the diffusion of lung qi, calm the mind, and alleviate the temporary discomfort that may occur during the initial stage of quitting smoking due to nicotine dependence, such as dizziness, irritability, and lack of concentration, thus increasing the chances of successful quitting. Smokers can also undergo auricular acupressure to enhance the effectiveness of treatment and reduce withdrawal symptoms during the treatment period. Face-to-face smoking cessation counselling is provided by a TCM practitioner to understand the smoking cessation status of the patient and provide encouragement and guidance to reinforce the treatment effect and prevent relapse.
How to Participate
Those aged 18 or above who are Hong Kong residents and wish to quit smoking are eligible to participate. Interested individuals can call the Pok Oi Hospital Chinese Medicine Quit Smoking Hotline at 2607 1222 to inquire about the service details.
Click here to register
Service Introduction Brochure (Click to enlarge the image)
Article on the Chinese medicine acupuncture smoking cessation success rates press conference (Click to enlarge the image)
(Click to enlarge the image)
(Click to enlarge the image)
