Hong Kong - smoking statistics..

June 23, 2009 - From the Hong Kong Census & Statistics Department Survey on smoking patterns..

The percentage of daily cigarette smokers declined gradually in the 15 years from 1993 to 2008. There were 754,800 current smokers from December 2007 to March 2008, accounting for 13.2% of people aged 15 and above in Hong Kong. Of them, 679,500 - or 90% - were daily smokers while the rest smoked less frequently. There were 294,000 smokers who previously had smoked every day - 5.1% of all people aged 15 and above.

Cigarettes were the most popular form of tobacco, consumed by 99.6% of the daily smokers. There was a higher percentage of daily cigarette smokers among men than women, while daily cigarette smoking seemed to be more popular among the middle-aged.

The daily cigarette smokers had an average of 14 cigarettes in a day - about 48.4% taking one to 10 cigarettes and 46.9% taking 11 to 20 cigarettes. The figure in 2005 was 13 per day. Smokers aged 40 to 59 consumed more cigarettes than those in other age groups. About 59.8% of the daily cigarette smokers starting smoking due to the influence of friends and 36.7% out of curiosity. Other reasons included perceived necessity in social functions, influence of family members, easing tension, refreshing one's mind and killing time.

Of the 291,800 former daily smokers, 41.3% gave up smoking for health reasons, 29.6% considered smoking not good for their health, 17.4% quit under the influence of family members or friends, and 13.3% gave it up on the advice of healthcare professional.

Reference: Daily cigarette smoker numbers falling, Health and Community, news.gov.hk. 6/22/2009.

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Health facts Hong Kong..