事 項 與 發 展

Dr Tam, Dr Adshead, Dr Burke, Dr Heloma, Mr Atkin and guests,

Good morning, welcome to the seminar on Tobacco Control.  It is my great pleasure to attend the seminar today and learn from the many experts here as well as share experiences.

As doctors, we must take on the role of a staunch health advocate.  We all know that smoking is the cause of many diseases, even for those who are subjected to other peoples’ smoke. And it is a well known fact too that nicotine is addictive.  To protect our children and the community, we have a lot to do in tobacco control.  The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, with one of its objects being to promote the improvement of health care for Hong Kong, has been collaborating with the Department of Health in this endeavour.  The Academy and Colleges signed a Charter to pledge their support for tobacco control last year.  Earlier this year, we have co-organized with the Department of Health a 2-day training workshop on tobacco dependence treatment.  All specialty colleges have sent their representatives to attend this workshop.    A few months ago, I also represented the Academy to attend a press briefing on smoking pattern survey and introduced to the media the role of the Academy on management of tobacco dependence.  I am glad that we have full support from all the colleges and Fellows.

The Academy has also formed an Expert Panel on Treatment (Management) of Tobacco Dependence, which I chair. We have representatives from all the Academy Colleges and the Panel meets regularly to make relevant recommendations to the Academy Council.    We have also suggested that individual Colleges consider incorporating smoking cessation into their training curricula.

We appreciate the contributions and efforts of the Department of Health and their partners including HA and other NGOs that have been working hard to promote tobacco control for better interest of Hong Kong.  We shall continue to do our best and look forward to working with the Department and other colleagues to make Hong Kong a smoke-free city.

I am sure after today's seminar; we would be enriched with more knowledge on tobacco control. May I wish the seminar every success.

Dr Donald LI
Chairperson, Expert Panel on Treatment (Management) of Tobacco Dependence Hong Kong Academy of Medicine