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DH Enhances Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Training for Chinese Medicine Practitioners

HK

DH Enhances Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Training for Chinese Medicine Practitioners
HK

HK

DH Enhances Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Training for Chinese Medicine Practitioners

2024-07-19 18:00 Last Updated At:18:08

DH holds Training Workshop on Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Service 2024

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 19) organised the Training Workshop on Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Service 2024, which provides training on acupuncture to 138 frontline Chinese medicine (CM) practitioners to enhance their skills in providing CM acupuncture smoking cessation services.

To strengthen knowledge exchange on tobacco control and share local experiences in cessation service provision with Mainland and Macao healthcare professionals, TACO extended invitations to CM practitioners from the Mainland and Macao to participate in this year's workshop. The training content spanned smoking cessation counseling, the mechanism and treatment plans of CM smoking cessation, as well as practical demonstrations of acupuncture and ear point treatment techniques, further equipping frontline CM practitioners with the necessary knowledge and skills in delivering cessation treatments. Of the participants, 114 frontline CM practitioners were from the Mainland and Macao. Among them, 98 were recommended by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province and the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Research shows that acupuncture combined with ear point treatment and professional counselling can effectively alleviate withdrawal symptoms and the short-term discomforts that may appear when smokers start to quit smoking, thus increasing the success rate of quitting smoking. According to the experience of DH-subvented CM acupuncture smoking cessation service operated by Pok Oi Hospital, a quit rate of over 20 per cent (i.e. the percentage of service users who self-reported to have stayed quit in the past seven days) at 52 weeks after the quit date was attained, comparable to that of the cessation services using nicotine replacement therapy.

The DH has also introduced Chinese medicine ear point patches to help with quitting smoking, which is a new initiative under the Quit in June campaign this year. The application of cowherb seeds on the surface of the ears to stimulate ear points will lessen the discomfort related to nicotine withdrawal, especially during the early stage of quitting. People who wish to quit smoking can receive Chinese medicine ear point patches for free at more than 40 Chinese medicine clinics across the territory. They can also enrol in free Chinese medicine and acupuncture smoking cessation services anytime, or after they have tried the Chinese medicine ear point patches for two weeks. Members of the public can call 1833 183 or visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on quitting and the available support tools and services.

The DH has become a regional hub for supporting training in smoking cessation treatment and services, after it was designated by the World Health Organization to establish the Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in April 2012. In addition to the Annual Training Programme on Tobacco Control for tobacco control workers in the Western Pacific region, TACO also regularly holds smoking cessation treatment training courses to enhance the capability of local healthcare professionals in providing smoking cessation support.

The DH will further strengthen collaboration and communication with the Mainland in tobacco control, and it is committed to providing continued support in cessation training and assistance, as well as jointly promoting the construction of a smoke-free Greater Bay Area.

DH holds Training Workshop on Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Service 2024  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH holds Training Workshop on Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Service 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 21) detected three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected etomidate (the main ingredient of "space oil drug"), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, and suspected dangerous drugs by outgoing passengers at the Lo Wu Control Point, the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) and the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. A total of four suspected "space oil drug" capsules, one vape stick containing suspected "space oil drug", 1.4 grams of suspected ketamine and 12.63 grams of suspected cocaine were seized.

The first case involved a local male passenger, aged 40, who went to the Mainland via the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, two suspected "space oil drug" capsules were found in his briefcase and 1.4g of suspected ketamine was found inside the underpants the man was wearing. He was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 23-year-old Mainland female passenger. The woman departed for the Mainland via the West Kowloon Station of the XRL yesterday. During customs clearance, one vape stick containing suspected "space oil drug" was found. She was then arrested.

The third case involved a local female passenger, aged 31, who went to the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, two suspected "space oil drug" capsules and 12.63g of suspected cocaine were found in her handbag and underwear. She was then arrested.

The man in the first case has been released on bail pending further investigation. The arrested woman of the second case has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison and the case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 23). The arrested woman of the third case has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drugs and the case will be brought up at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, any person who possesses any dangerous drug commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for seven years. Any person who traffics any dangerous drug commits an offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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