Anti-smoking group launches construction site quitting scheme
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Council on Smoking and Health has launched the “Healthy Construction” smoking-cessation promotion programme to support enforcement of no-smoking rules at construction sites and other worksites in Hong Kong . Working with construction unions, trade associations and contractors, the scheme will hold outreach and recruitment activities directly at worksites so smoking workers can sign up on the spot . The University of Hong Kong’s School of Nursing will provide brief cessation counselling, one week of smoking-cessation medication and other support tools, followed by telephone follow-up for six months . Participants who are verified by the University of Hong Kong as having successfully quit smoking will receive cash and sports-goods vouchers as incentives .
Key Points
- The “Healthy Construction” programme is being rolled out at construction sites and other worksites with support from unions, business groups and contractors .
- Smoking workers can register immediately at outreach events and receive on-site assessment before entering the cessation support programme .
- The University of Hong Kong’s School of Nursing will offer brief counselling, one week of cessation medication and six months of telephone follow-up .
- Participants will receive either one week of nicotine gum or three weeks of regular chewing gum to encourage replacing smoking with chewing .
- The scheme also offers 12 weeks of AI-based cessation counselling or referral to a smoking-cessation service chosen by the worker .
Why It Matters
The programme is designed to work alongside the site smoking ban, combining enforcement with practical quitting support for a workforce that often spends long hours in physically demanding environments . Officials from the Labour Department and the Department of Health say the approach can help spread smoke-free messages and improve workplace health and safety, building on support services that have already attracted more than 600 construction workers since late last year .