Ten local hospitals will open out-patient services this year
under a nation-wide plan to help people quit smoking.
Officials from Shanghai Health Education Institute's smoking
control office yesterday said under the plan, hospitals should
restrict smoking areas, medical staff should quit smoking and they
should teach patients the harm of smoking during regular medical
appointments.
The Ministry of Health plans to establish anti-smoking
out-patient services in 31 provinces and municipalities this
year.
Authorities will also launch large-scale research into cigarette
consumption and smoking behavior in China with a view to forming a
smoking control network and non-smoking public venues.
The pilot programs start next month in Shanghai and Beijing.
"The 10 hospitals, including Huashan, Zhongshan, Tongji and
Xuhui District Central hospitals, are all preparing for staff
training and schedule arrangements," said Li Mingzhu, director of
the health education institute's smoking control office.
"The service is mainly provided at the respiratory disease
department, where doctors prescribe medication like nicotine
replacement therapy, teach skills in controlling smoking and give
psychological direction," Li said.
Li pointed out that smoking is a psychical and psychological
addiction, which requires long-term and appropriate
intervention.
"We will learn from similar clinics in Hong Kong and some
developed countries. We will consider Hong Kong's experiences in
opening such services at night, as most young and middle-aged
smokers work during the day."
Li said staff at local hospitals should set an anti-smoking
example.
"Research has found that more than 10 percent of medical staff
and about 40 to 50 percent of male doctors smoke," Li said.
"This is a bad influence on patients and the public."
(Shanghai Daily February 16, 2008)