Prevalence and characteristics of hardcore smokers in Hong Kong

Abstract

1. The proportion of hardcore smokers among male and female smokers increased from 2005 to 2008. This indicates that a smoking habit is becoming more ingrained among smokers in Hong Kong, regardless of gender. 2. A demographic profile of hardcore smokers reveals that they are less likely to be aware of existing smoking cessation services. This suggests a need to strengthen the existing cessation services for the whole smoking population, in particular hardcore smokers. 3. Although the implementation of smoke-free legislation may have provided an environment to reduce social smoking in the community, it appears that the determination of Hong Kong’s smoking population is driven by psychosocial factors.