Men's Health - Men's Newsroom

You probably know well that smoking increases the risk of having chronic lung diseases, coronary heart disease, certain types of cancer, impotence and stroke. But do you know that second-hand smoke is also harmful to non-smokers' health?

Second-hand smoke is generated during the burning of tobacco products, which includes materials emitted from the smoldering tobacco products (sidestream smoke) and that exiting from the mouthpiece of a burning cigarette when a puff (mainstream smoke) is inhaled by the smokers. It contains over 4 000 chemicals in the form of particles and gases, including tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and ammonia. As a result of the irritating and carcinogenic properties of some of these chemicals, second-hand smoke has both immediate effects, including eye irritation, cough and headache, and long term effects, including increased risks in developing lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases, which are the top killers in Hong Kong.

The World Health Organization has declared May 31 every year as the World No Tobacco Day to raise awareness among people around the world on the important public health issue of tobacco use. This year's World No Tobacco Day is coming soon, so let's echo it and take actions now for a smoke-free Hong Kong. Let's support smokers around you to quit, and quit smoking now if you are a smoker - it is that simple!

You and your future generation deserve the right to a healthy living environment. Guys, you can make a difference!

For practical tips on smoking cessation and encouraging smokers to quit, please visit the Smoke Free & Fresh section of our website and the Health Zone website and the Tobacco Control Office website of our Department.