The aims of the present study are: 1. To explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the smoking behavior of youth smokers 2. To explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Youth Quitline service in Hong Kong
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread rapidly across the globe.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), due to the harmful effects on the lungs and the
possible viral transmission from fingers to mouth during smoking, tobacco use is considered a
major risk factor for developing COVID-19. Both tobacco use and COVID-19 can cause damage to
the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Smokers infected with COVID-19 are at higher risk
of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms or death than non-smokers.
The Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) government has announced different regulations to combat the spread
of COVID-19 since late January 2020, which significantly affect the working patterns and
everyday lives of people. It remains unknown how smoking habits and smoking cessation
services are being affected during the pandemic.
Other: Telephone survey
Participants will be asked to respond to a survey regarding their knowledge about the relationship between smoking and COVID-19, their smoking behaviors and readiness to quit during the pandemic.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Hong Kong resident aged 25 or below
- Able to communicate in Chinese (Cantonese)
- Smoked in the past 30 days
Exclusion Criteria:
- Have difficulty to communicate via telephone
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Investigator: Ho Cheung William Li, PhD
Contact: 39176634
william3@hku.hk
Ho Cheung William Li, PhD
+85239176634
william3@hku.hk
Long Kwan Ho, MPhil
+85239176643
longkwan@hku.hk