The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential efficacy of auricular acupressure to stimulate specific acupoints in enhancing smoking cessation by reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms among attendees in primary healthcare settings.

Uncontrolled trials indicated that auricular acupressure is an effective treatment for addictive behaviors such as smoking cessation. However, some methodological limitations can be identified among clinical trials in this area, and it is not clear whether it is more efficacious to use the commonly-used acupoints or other points that are specifically for reducing the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine. The study addresses the identified methodological shortcomings of the previous similar studies. It consists of a total of three intervention groups, which allows comparisons between the commonly-used acupoints of acupressure, acupoints specific to smoking cessation, and a sham-controlled intervention. The study does not only focus on the efficacy of smoking cessation but also assesses the mediate effect of auricular acupressure on nicotine withdrawal by questionnaire and biomarkers.

This is the first study of its kind to yield information on the acceptability and effectiveness of a safe, available auricular acupressure technique on smoking cessation in Hong Kong. The findings could provide further information for the development of future tobacco-control activities targeting smokers in a wider population who would like to use acupressure as a treatment option.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 years and over
• Currently smoking at least one cigarette per day in the past 30 days
• Are Hong Kong residents
• Able to communicate in Cantonese
• Currently reside in Hong Kong and expect to continue to do so for the next 6 months
• Have access to a telephone

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently undergoing other smoking cessation or similar programme
• With a known history of allergy to adhesive tapes or history of current otitis externa or other ear disease