Building a Community-based Network to Promote Smoking Cessation

Development of a Community-based Network to Promote Smoking Cessation Among Female Smokers in Hong Kong

This study describes the development of a community-based network to promote smoking cessation among female smokers in Hong Kong.

There is growing concern about the use of tobacco among women in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, nearly all of them reported that they had not attended smoking cessation services provided by the government and other organizations, of which only 6.7% indicated that they would like to attend, demonstrating the need for population-based smoking cessation interventions targeting female smokers in Hong Kong. In response to the increased number of female smokers and their low usage rates of smoking cessation services, the first smoking cessation hotline for female smokers in Hong Kong was established in 2006 by the University of Hong Kong. The aim of this study was to describe the development of a community-based network to promote the smoking cessation hotline among female smokers in Hong Kong.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female Hong Kong Chinese current smokers
• Aged 15 years or above
• Able to speak and understand Cantonese
• Willing to receive face-to-face or telephone counseling

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those who were participating in other smoking cessation programs or services