How to quit smoking in Hong Kong: free quit-smoking services, the Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183, quit-smoking medications and Chinese medicine acupuncture
The Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183 offers counselling by registered nurses and can handle enquiries or appointments for free quit-smoking programmes, including medications, Chinese medicine acupuncture and telephone counselling; the Hospital Authority's smoking counselling and cessation centres take enquiries and appointments on 2300 7272 (Department of Health Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Free quit tools and services’ web page, July 2026).
What free quit-smoking services are there in Hong Kong?
Most quitters quit by themselves, and some people try more than once before they succeed; quit-smoking services can help when needed (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (Department of Health) ‘Free quit tools and services’ web page, July 2026). The services the page lists are in the table below.
Which service or medication suits an individual depends on the assessment result and the advice of health care professionals.
| Service | What the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office page lists |
|---|---|
| Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183 | Registered nurses provide cessation counselling, information on medications and tips for dealing with withdrawal symptoms, and refer callers to free quit-smoking services; callers can enquire about or make appointments for free quit-smoking programmes provided by different organisations (including medications, Chinese medicine acupuncture and telephone counselling); a 24-hour computerised call handling system gives information on quitting in Cantonese, Putonghua and English, and users can assess their nicotine dependence on the spot |
| Counselling and medications | Provided by the TWGH Integrated Centre for Smoking Cessation, United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service and Pok Oi Hospital's smoking cessation services, with counselling combined with medications (for example nicotine replacement therapy); there is also a ‘Mail to Quit’ programme, which posts quit-smoking medications free of charge with follow-up telephone counselling, and after assessment eligible persons receive the medications after three working days; some people (for example those with chronic illnesses who take medication, pregnant women, or people who have had allergic reactions to quit-smoking medications) may need to visit a smoking cessation clinic for assessment by a doctor |
| Chinese medicine acupuncture for quitting smoking | Provided by several organisations across Hong Kong, including Pok Oi Hospital, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service and the School of Chinese Medicine of The University of Hong Kong; appointments can be made through the organisations' websites or by calling 1833 183 |
| Youth Quitline | For people under 25; provides information on tobacco-related health risks and quitting, telephone counselling, and help finding a suitable way to quit; the page links to the Youth Quitline run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University |
| Hospital Authority smoking counselling and cessation services | The Hospital Authority has Smoking Counselling and Cessation Centres at some clinics and hospitals, providing professional counselling and follow-up, and nicotine replacement therapy according to individual needs; the services are charged at the Hospital Authority's out-patient rates, and the page says Eligible Persons can currently receive the services at the centres free of charge; enquiries and appointments on 2300 7272 |
| Workplace outreach quit-smoking service | The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office has subvented The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, to run the Smoking Cessation Programme in Workplace since 2013, which provides company employees with free quit-smoking support and follow-up services, including professional counselling and quit-smoking medications |
| AI-assisted smoking cessation counselling | The Pilot AI-assisted Smoking Cessation Counselling Service provides 24-hour quit-smoking advice and personalised counselling through artificial intelligence |
What quit-smoking medications are there? Who should ask a doctor before using them?
Quit-smoking medications ease withdrawal symptoms and fall into two kinds, nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine medication; withdrawal symptoms are generally most noticeable in the first week after quitting and then gradually decline, and most discomfort lasts only about two to three weeks (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Drugs to help you quit’ web page, May 2020).
| Medication or situation | What the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office page (28 May 2020) says |
|---|---|
| Nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine gum, patches, lozenges) | An effective and safe aid for quitting, available free through quit-smoking services, and some can also be bought over the counter at pharmacies; quitters should consult health care professionals or pharmacists to choose a suitable dosage and course |
| Varenicline (a non-nicotine medication) | Varenicline contains no nicotine, is a prescription-only medicine in Hong Kong, and can be obtained free through quit-smoking services |
| People who should ask health care professionals before using nicotine replacement therapy | Children under 18 should seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist before use; pregnant or breastfeeding women should first quit with counselling, and the doctor may suggest nicotine replacement therapy if they think it would help, which must follow the doctor's advice; people with severe angina, serious cardiac arrhythmias or an acute heart event in the past two weeks should consult a doctor before use |
What are the steps in making a quit plan?
The steps include: mark down your reasons for quitting, choose a quit method, set a quit date on a less stressful day, know and list your triggers, and plan positive activities to fight cravings (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Make a quit plan’ web page, May 2020).
Common withdrawal symptoms include craving for cigarettes, anger, frustration and irritability, anxiety and depression, weight gain, dizziness and headaches, usually worst in the first week after quitting and then subsiding; an occasional cigarette is only a small setback and does not mean complete failure, and quitting is a process in which you can get back on track (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Make a quit plan’ web page, May 2020).
What are the health benefits of quitting? Is it ever too late?
The body's changes after quitting come in stages: circulation and lung function improve within a few weeks, coughing and shortness of breath decrease within a few months, within 1 year the chance of coronary heart disease is cut by half, and after 10 years the risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a smoker (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Benefits of quitting’ web page, November 2023). It is never too late to quit and the earlier you quit, the more you benefit: on average, quitting at 30 regains 10 years of life, at 40 regains 9 years, at 50 regains 6 years and at 60 regains 3 years (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Benefits of quitting’ web page, November 2023).
How does quitting relate to lung cancer screening, osteoporosis and other conditions?
Lung cancer screening cannot replace quitting smoking (Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening, June 2023); smoking is known to accelerate bone loss (Module on Osteoporosis of the Primary Healthcare Commission's reference framework, December 2022). For how lung cancer screening relates to quitting, see Lung cancer screening; for smoking and bone loss, see Osteoporosis and bone density tests; for smoking and the risk of stroke, see Stroke warning signs. Individual cases are decided by the treating doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number for the quit-smoking hotline?
The Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline is 1833 183, with counselling by registered nurses and enquiries or appointments for free quit-smoking programmes; the hotline also has a 24-hour computerised call handling system that gives information on quitting in Cantonese, Putonghua and English (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Free quit tools and services’ web page, July 2026).
Do quit-smoking services cost money?
The counselling and medications, Chinese medicine acupuncture and workplace outreach services are listed as free quit-smoking services; the Hospital Authority's smoking counselling and cessation centres charge at the Hospital Authority's out-patient rates, and Eligible Persons can currently receive the services at the centres free of charge (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Free quit tools and services’ web page, July 2026).
Which quitline can people under 25 call?
The Youth Quitline is for people under 25, providing information on quitting and the health risks of smoking and telephone counselling; the page links to the Youth Quitline run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Free quit tools and services’ web page, July 2026).
Where can I get quit-smoking medications?
Nicotine replacement therapy is available free through quit-smoking services and some can also be bought over the counter at pharmacies; varenicline is a prescription-only medicine in Hong Kong and can be obtained free from quit-smoking services (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Drugs to help you quit’ web page, May 2020). Individual cases are decided by health care professionals.
How long do withdrawal symptoms last after quitting?
Withdrawal symptoms are generally most noticeable in the first week after quitting and then gradually decline, most discomfort lasts only about two to three weeks, and some quitters do not feel any discomfort at all (Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office ‘Drugs to help you quit’ web page, May 2020).