Video is provided in Chinese version only.
Mr LEE Hing-lim, champion of the 5th “Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign, had smoked for more than 20 years. He had quitted for seven years but relapsed when he worked in mainland China and no longer had intention to quit. Mr Lee read about the advertisement of “Quit to Win” smoking cessation contest one day which he believed could enhance his motivation and determination with the professional counseling service provided. He joined the contest on his wife’s birthday last year and was the best gift he could have prepared for his loved one. When his certificate of smoking cessation was uploaded to the social media, he got enormous “Like”.
Mr LEE started smoking when he was in secondary school. Having quitted for seven years, he relapsed as he could not resist the temptation when the clients in mainland China distributed cigarettes to everyone in the meeting. He had lots of excuses to smoke, for example, only smoked the cigarettes distributed by clients, only smoked when worked in mainland China and on street. With all these excuses, he became a regular smoker again.
Support from family and friends is crucial
Mr Lee lost intention to quit for a second time. Only when he got married, he restored the determination to get rid of the smoking addiction to protect his wife and daughter from the hazards of secondhand and third-hand smoke. When he joined the “Quit to Win” smoking cessation contest, he uploaded the photo taken at the recruitment counter to social media to let more people know about his resolution.
He claimed that it was much more difficult to say goodbye to smoking for a second time. There were some withdrawal symptoms, like tantrums, difficult to concentrate and insomnia during the first two weeks of quitting smoking. With his self-determination and support from family, the symptoms disappeared quickly.
Cessation contest helps boost determination
The first runner-up of the 5th “Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign, Ms CHAN Yuk-kam and the second runner-up, Mr CHEUNG Kam-hon were proud to kick the long-term smoking habit with their will power. Ms CHAN Yuk-kam, worked in the hotel industry, had smoked for more than 20 years. She quitted smoking in order to prevent the bad smell of smoke. Ms Chan realized the improvement on her skin quality, as well as health. Besides, she got promoted which she regarded as a bonus. Her supervisor noticed that she spent more time on working and no longer had the stink of cigarette.
Mr CHEUNG Kam-hon started smoking due to peer influence and spent over 40 years as a smoker with one packet every day. He got lymphoma cancer in 2007. But he continued to smoke even when the doctor advised him to stop. Mr Cheung’s decision to say no to cigarette was a coincidence when he ran into the recruitment counter of “Quit to Win” in a shopping mall. With his determination, he quitted finally and his wife was the happiest one. His tips on cessation are deep breathing and eating candy to divert attention.
