TACO Hosts Workshop on Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation, Attracting 100 Practitioners from Hong Kong, Mainland, and Macao

DH's training workshop on Chinese medicine acupuncture for smoking cessation attracts about 100 Chinese medicine practitioners from Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao

​The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 11) organised a training workshop on Chinese medicine acupuncture service for smoking cessation to introduce the latest research and practical solutions to help smokers quit smoking through the use of acupuncture. The workshop attracted about 100 Chinese medicine (CM) practitioners from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.

"Since being designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in 2012, the DH has become a regional hub for supporting training in smoking cessation treatment and services. Smoking cessation training is provided to healthcare professionals in Hong Kong, the Mainland and throughout the Western Pacific region on a regular basis. Today's training course covered smoking cessation counselling, the mechanism and treatment plans of CM smoking cessation, as well as practical demonstrations of acupuncture and ear point treatment techniques, helping frontline CM practitioners further enhance their knowledge and skills in delivering cessation treatments. About 80 frontline CM practitioners from the Mainland and Macao participated in the training course," the Head of TACO, Dr Fung Ying said.

Dr Fung said that studies have shown 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. The DH-subvented CM acupuncture smoking cessation service operated by Pok Oi Hospital has reported a quit rate of over 20 per cent (i.e. the percentage of service users who self-reported staying tobacco-free in the past seven days) at 52 weeks after the quit date, comparable to that of the smoking cessation services using nicotine replacement therapy.

"The Government is introducing various tobacco control measures, including strengthening CM smoking cessation services. In this connection, the DH has subvented three more service providers (from one to four in total) this year to operate smoking cessation clinics focusing on counselling and acupuncture. The service attendance can be approximately doubled," Dr Fung said.

Apart from organising CM smoking cessation service training courses, TACO also organises the Annual Training Programme on Tobacco Control for tobacco control workers in the Western Pacific region, and conducts smoking cessation treatment training courses to enhance the capability of local healthcare professionals in providing smoking cessation support.

"The above training course and training programme will be held in the third and fourth quarters of this year respectively. TACO will deepen its co-operation and exchanges on tobacco control with the Mainland and other areas in the region, and will provide smoking cessation training and support to promote smoking cessation and safeguard public health," Dr Fung said.

Members of the public can call 1833 183 or visit the smoking cessation thematic websitefor more information on quitting and the available support tools and services.

DH's training workshop on Chinese medicine acupuncture for smoking cessation attracts about 100 Chinese medicine practitioners from Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH's training workshop on Chinese medicine acupuncture for smoking cessation attracts about 100 Chinese medicine practitioners from Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Police inspects passing-out parade of Police Cadet Training at HK Police College

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, inspected the passing-out parade of the Police Cadet Training for 116 cadets at the Hong Kong Police College today (May 3), and witnessed their successful completion of a 22-week professional training.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chow Yat-ming encouraged the cadets to uphold the core values of "Wisdom, Courage, Integrity, and Perseverance" and to embody the "Cadet Spirit" of the Police Cadet School. He recalled since the establishment of the Cadet School in 1973 until the completion of its historic mission in 1990, over 4 000 elites have been trained and most of them have joined the Force to serve the community.

Mr Chow mentioned the "Diploma of Applied Education - Police Cadet Training" Programme was launched in 2024. The Police Force collaborated with the Caritas Institute of Community Education, the Hong Kong College of Technology as well as the Hong Kong Institute of Technology to offer a programme equipping aspiring police recruits with comprehensive academic, physical, and psychological preparation.

Taught by experienced police officers, most of whom are Cadet School alumni, in the programme offered by the Police College, the curriculum features experiential learning and a "hell week" outdoor training, designed to strengthen cadets' mentality and values, serving as a good preparation for the cadets to proceed directly to a 27-week foundation training at the Police College after completing the diploma, passing medical and character assessments.

Mr Chow highlighted that colleagues graduating from the Cadet School are loyal to missions and never give up. He commended the cadets for demonstrating resilience and teamwork, perfectly establishing the exemplary image and spirit of "Cadets" during their training. He encouraged cadets to transform the resilience and confidence gained from training into motivation for future challenges, and to uphold the principle of "acting with integrity even when alone," always prioritise the public's interests and embody the Force's motto of "Serving Hong Kong with Honour, Duty and Loyalty."

He expressed gratitude to the former Deputy Principals of the Cadet School and over 60 "Cadet" alumni present at the passing-out parade, commending their contributions to the Force and to Hong Kong, while highlighting the enduring unity of the "Cadet" community.

Mr Chow further inspired the cadets with the phrase "Physical strength is finite, but willpower is limitless", encouraging them to remember their instructors' teachings, cherish their camaraderie and uphold the proud traditions of the "Cadets", while continue to contribute to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Commissioner of Police inspects passing-out parade of Police Cadet Training at HK Police College Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Police inspects passing-out parade of Police Cadet Training at HK Police College Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Police inspects passing-out parade of Police Cadet Training at HK Police College Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Police inspects passing-out parade of Police Cadet Training at HK Police College Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases