An anti-smoking hotline aimed predominantly at teenagers has received 20 per cent more calls since the smoking ban came into effect this year. Experts have now called on the government to raise tobacco tax in order to further discourage teen smokers. The University of Hong Kong has been running the Youth Quitline (2855 9557), that provides counselling to people aged between 12 and 25, since August 2005. Sophia Chan Siu-chee, head of the HKU's department of nursing studies, said yesterday that on average 113 calls, from smokers, their families or teachers, were made to the hotline every month this year, nearly 20 per cent more than the past. The increase was the most significant in the first three months after the new smoking ban was implemented on January 1 when up to 130 calls a month were made, but a decline was noted in April and May. 'Anti-smoking should be a long-term campaign. We must continue to put resources on helping smokers quit and preventing people from lighting up,' Dr Chan said. By May, the hotline team had counselled 339 young smokers, half of whom were under 18 and, on average, had started smoking at 14. Also, 61 per cent of these young smokers drank alcohol regularly. They admitted they smoked more after drinking alcohol. About one-third of the 339 smokers said they were ready to quit and the two most cited reasons were 'to live a healthy life' (61 per cent) and 'to save money' (25 per cent). The head of the university's department of community medicine, Lam Tai-hing, said the government's recent cut of alcohol tax might encourage more teenagers to drink and smoke. Many research studies had showed a link between drinking and smoking. He urged the government to raise tobacco tax to discourage young people from smoking. 'Youngsters will spend their money on other things if cigarettes become more expensive. Also, a tax increase can convey a message that the government is against smoking.' Dr Lam said tobacco tax should be increased by about 50 to 60 per cent to effectively discourage smoking. He suggested the government raise it 20 per cent to 30 per cent first, with a further increase later. Death toll Number of deaths in Hong Kong caused by smoking in a year: 5,700 SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
