• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup2
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• pp.7-9
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• 2016

In order to help smokers quit easier, China has started to provide quitline service since 2004. There are two models for Chinese quitline service-the National Quitline Model, which provides only cessation service to smokers, and the 12320 Hotline Model, which integrates cessation counseling into public health hotline service and is currently adapted in public health hotlines in 28 provinces. A protocol of 4 counseling calls is used by 12320 Hotline. Three-month abstinence rate for clients is about 20%. The fact that most smokers who attempted quit don't seek cessation help or quitline service is not well known by the public are major constraints for quitline service in China. Effective advocating campaign should be implemented to propagate quitline. Diverse protocols targeting different subpopulation will also need to be developed to better service the public.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2016

Aiming at reducing smoking population, Taiwan government adopted a successful smoking cessation quitline model from California Smokers' Helpline, commissioned a private non-profit organization-Teacher Chang Foundation, which was well-known for its quality telephone counseling service-to set up Asia's first quitline, Taiwan Smokers' Helpline (TSH) in 2003. The establishment of the quitline is a significant progress for tobacco control in Taiwan, as it built up a cooperative model with smoking cessation clinics to increase the quit rate through assisting smokers to overcome their psychological obstacles while quitting smoking.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 2014

Tobacco use is the most important preventable risk factor for premature death. The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first international public health treaty, came into force in 2005. This paper reviews the present status of tobacco control policies in Korea according to the WHO FCTC recommendations. In Korea, cigarette use is high among adult males (48.2% in 2010), and cigarette prices are the lowest among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries with no tax increases since 2004. Smoke-free policies have shown incremental progress since 1995, but smoking is still permitted in many indoor public places. More than 30% of non-smoking adults and adolescents are exposed to second-hand smoke. Public education on the harmful effects of tobacco is currently insufficient and the current policies have not been adequately evaluated. There is no comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, or sponsorship in Korea. Cigarette packages have text health warnings on only 30% of the main packaging area, and misleading terms such as "mild" and "light" are permitted. There are nationwide smoking cessation clinics and a Quitline service, but cessation services are not covered by public insurance schemes and there are no national treatment guidelines. The sale of tobacco to minors is prohibited by law, but is poorly enforced. The socioeconomic inequality of smoking prevalence has widened, although the government considers inequality reduction to be a national goal. The tobacco control policies in Korea have faltered recently and priority should be given to the development of comprehensive tobacco control policies.