'Be more supportive of smokers trying to quit'
The government is being urged to review existing tobacco-control policies and create a more supportive environment for smokers trying to kick the habit. Psychiatrist Willy Wong said current efforts to help people quit smoking are not good enough, citing government statistics last year that 85 percent of smokers quit of their own volition. "According to some people who use the [smoking cessation] services, they said it mainly provides medication-based treatment, which may address the physical addiction part, but do not effectively address psychological addiction," he said. Wong said authorities should look at how to treat addiction instead, such as providing counselling and psychological therapy to help smokers kick the habit. "Sometimes smoking behaviour is not just about physical discomfort, it's also related to a lot of psychological factors. For example, if some smokers are surrounded by a group of good friends who are heavy smokers, then maybe there will be some influence from the environment."  Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau earlier said Hongkongers should do their part by staring at those who light up where they shouldn't, but Wong said smokers should not be stigmatised. "Sometimes this could create a very negative environment and atmosphere among the smokers. And also this comment would only lead to smokers trying to distance themselves from the other people. It is important not to label or alienate the smokers," he said.  Wong also said family doctors should be involved in making smoking-cessation services more accessible.  A public consultation exercise launched by the government to gather ideas on how to cut the number of smokers in the SAR runs until the end of September.