2004-11-16
Smoking is the major risk factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the major causes of mortality in Hong Kong, Dr Regina Ching, Assistant Director of Health said today (November 16).
"COPD is a common and incurable disease characterized by shortness of breath of patients but most people are not familiar with it," Dr Ching said.
To raise public awareness of COPD throughout the world, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease has declared November 17, 2004 the World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day, Dr Ching said.
"Tobacco use is the main culprit. Nearly 90 per cent of the COPD cases are related to smoking, and the disease poses a heavy burden to health care," Dr Ching said, adding, "Exposure to passive smoking is also an important risk factor."
To echo the World COPD Day as well as to raise public concern over the long term effect of smoking, Dr Ching said the Department of Health (DH) would launch a major publicity campaign under the theme of "No Smoking", this month.
Apart from putting up posters at health institutions, public facilities, schools and MTR stations to promote a smoke-free environment, the DH would hold a seminar on COPD for health care workers in elderly homes at the Hong Kong Space Museum on November 20.
"The public is urged to support smoke-free policies with an aim to create a second hand smoke-free environment, whereas smokers are encouraged to quit smoking.
"Smokers are advised to seek medical attention when they develop early COPD symptoms such as longstanding cough with plenty of phlegm and shortness of breath," Dr Ching said.
Members of the public who wish to know more about the harmful effects of smoking and ways to quit the bad habit can call DH's Smoking Cessation Hotline 2961 8883. Information on prevention of COPD can also be obtained from DH's health educational homepage at http://www.cheu.gov.hk under "What's New".
End/Tuesday, November 16, 2004