WHO Fellowship Programme on Tobacco Control
According to the latest report of the Thematic Household Survey, the daily cigarette smoking prevalence among Hong Kong population (aged 15 and over) has dropped to a record-low of 10.7% in 2012. The Department of Health was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to set up the Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in Hong Kong in April 2012. The Centre mainly provides evidence-based training on smoking cessation for healthcare professionals and supports smoking cessation training in the Western Pacific Region. The Centre organized the first Fellowship Programme on Tobacco Control from 18 to 22 November 2013.
To mark the launch of the 5-day programme, Dr Carmen Audera-Lopez, Acting Team Leader of Tobacco Free Initiative, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, and Professor Sophia Chan, the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Hong Kong SAR officiated the opening of the fellowship programme and welcomed delegates from the different countries on 18 November 2013.
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| Dr Carmen Audera-Lopez | Professor Sophia Chan |
The fellowship programme targeted at middle managers in tobacco control. This year, delegates from various member states of the Western Pacific Region, namely, Brunei Darussalam, China, Fiji, Republic of Korea, Macao SAR (China), Malaysia, Mongolia and the Philippines joined. Over 30 professionals from non-governmental organizations have also attended the programme as observers.
Group photo of guests and delegates
The Fellowship Programme emphasizes on mastering of skills in tobacco control, including legislation, enforcement, advocacy and publicity, development and evaluation of cessation programmes. The programme is structured according to the MPOWER measures laid down by WHO to assist in the implementation of effective measures to reduce the demand for tobacco, contained in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Through exchange of ideas and experiences, delegates are equipped with enhanced knowledge, strengthened skills and new perspectives in developing and implementing tobacco control strategies in their countries/ areas.
Delegates and observers attending the First Fellowship Programme on Tobacco Control in HKSAR
There are a few highlights of the programme, including presentations by overseas and local tobacco control experts. Dr David McFadden of the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, enlightened the participants on the pharmacotherapy used in nicotine dependence. Ms Fiona Sharkie, Executive Director of Quit Victoria, shared her expertise on operation of quitline and use of new media in smoking cessation. Professor Judith Mackay also shared her views on cutting edge of tobacco control including e-cigarettes, endgame and crop diversification. Experience sharing session is another highlight of the programme. Professor Judith Mackay offered comments and gave valuable advice on delegates' presentations which included their countries' smoking situations and their plans on tobacco control strategies. Local tobacco control experts, including Prof TH Lam, Dr Homer Tso, Ms Lisa Lau and Dr Christine Wong, also shared with the participants experience on tobacco control in Hong Kong SAR.
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| Professor Judith Mackay | |
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| Dr David McFadden | Ms Fiona Sharkie |
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| Professor TH Lam | Dr Homer Tso |
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| Ms Lisa Lau | Dr Christine Wong |
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| Dr Kam Wing Ching and Ms Jeanny Tam | |
Presentations by overseas and local tobacco control experts
Besides presentations, delegates also had opportunities to visit various community-based smoking cessation clinics and school-based smoking prevention programme. Delegates were eager to have hands-on experience on various methods for smoking cessation including acupuncture. They also learnt the strategies in enforcing the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, Cap. 371, through interactive discussion and video demonstration of the difficult scenarios.
Delegates visited community-based smoking cessation clinics and school-based smoking prevention programme
Delegates attended the Seminar on Smoking Cessation co-organised by Hong Kong Department of Health and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
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| Dr Sarah Choi | Mr Ivan Yiu |
Seminar on Smoking Cessation
The second Fellowship Programme is tentatively scheduled to be held in Hong Kong SAR in November 2014. Details will be announced in due course.
Closing ceremony of the programme