事項與發展

Advisors, Speakers, Guests, Participants, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

This series of talks first began in 2009. Every time we meet over such occasions, I keep hearing from this incredibly supportive audience about how much they look forward to returning every year, to listen to the Panel about the latest. Somehow, we are witnessing the development of a very eager learning habit.

This time, I am particularly proud, not only to welcome our Advisors back to update us, but also to report on the accomplishments since the launching of our enhanced smoking cessation pilot project in end 2008.

As field practitioners, it is all too easy to dwell on the overwhelming problems we face and to forget all those we have done together over the years.

Travelling back in time, I well remember how difficult it was to gain any attention at all for issues like counselling, behavioural therapy and drug treatment for quitters. Our project has, somehow, played a vital part in changing people's willingness to engage with these activities.

Of course, what is an even more remarkable feat is to have brought in the second largest charity organisation in Hong Kong, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, and to have gained such a high level of consensus on our way forward. There have been some real benefits in our collaboration.

It is now widely recognised that Tung Wah's work has contributed much to bring Hong Kong's smoking prevalence down to a record low of 11.1%. Besides, it has also galvanised plenty of positive actions, not least the ground-breaking acupuncture on wheels for quitters by another NGO, the Pok Oi Hospital.

The Pok Oi mobile scheme is unique in that it is Chinese medicine-based, and also helps to promote an outreaching mode of delivery by bringing service to smokers in their own communities.

Together, the former two programmes have inspired many important dialogues among other stakeholders, which subsequently led to the creation of other schemes. On the list include the adoption by all 15 medical Colleges of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine the 'Charter for Promoting Management of Tobacco Dependence' and another pilot cessation programme by the Correctional Services Department for both inmates and staff.

Ladies and gentlemen, with your permission, I would only be right for me to also acknowledge the work of my Department's Tobacco Control Office (TCO), over an even longer period in what is an important year for the Office, as 2011 marks ten years of activity.

I am acutely aware that it is invidious to single out any particular party from so strong a field, especially that it is my own Department. However, there is just so much to celebrate.

People are now much more aware than they were of the issues which the Office set out to resolve a decade ago and there is now much engagement of the private sector, the third sector and the public besides the Government. Indeed, extension of the advertising ban to cover hawker stalls, mandatory smoke-free environment to include some outdoor places as well as substantial tax increase are all fruits of various partnerships.

So, if I may, I would like to pay my heartfelt tribute to all cohorts of TCO colleagues who have achieved so much over the years with a great deal of sweat, tears and even blood.

And for sure, our International Advisory Panel deserves every commendation. Since 2008, learned Members are coming year after year to tender their selfless advice. For those of you who were here for the past two meetings or last night's reception, you should recall my account on the effort behind in building up the network.

Without Prof Sian GRIFFITHS' referral, I might never have met Dr Fiona ADSHEAD despite my frequent visits to London; without my darling classmate, Finnish Ambassador Timo RAJAKANGAS, I could not imagine having the honour of including a Finn, Dr Antero HELOMA, on board; if my adorable senior, Vice President Dr Donald LI had not invited his classmate and our mutual friend, Dr Carl CHAN and me to horse racing, I could not have been linked up with Prof Richard HURT of Mayo, Rochester; and if I have not promised to buy Dr Sarah PERL, New York's Assistant Health Commissioner, Vietnamese pho in Great Apple's China Town, she might not have recommended Miss Fiona SHARKIE from downunder.

Ladies and gentlemen, now you know everything about our past. In the course of merely three years, our project has moved from a high-minded aspiration to being a real force for public good. We can all agree that this of itself has been a signal achievement. Looking ahead, there is still so much more to be done. As former Secretary General of the UN, Dag HAMMARSKJOLD once said "constant attention by a good nurse may be just as important as a major operation by a surgeon". Good nurses get better with practice, sadly the supply of patients never ceases.

However, based on our record, I have every confidence that much can be done if we set our minds to it. Although I know of no single formula for success, over the years, I have observed some attributes which are quite universal. Often, these are about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their talents, their insights, their inspiration, their enthusiasm and their efforts to work together.

So, we must not gather here to reminisce, although we will certainly be wise to take courage from President Nelson MANDELA's words which go "it always seems impossible until it is done."

If it is not done, ladies and gentlemen, all I can say is that man's health will face a disastrously compromised future. Therefore, in tomorrow's world, we must all work together as hard as ever if we are truly to make a sustainable difference. Thank you.

Dr Gloria TAM, JP
Deputy Director of Health