Hong Kong Quitline — Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183

Frequently asked questions

Is there a quitline in Hong Kong?

Yes. The Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline, 1833 183, is run by the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health. It was first launched in 2001 and upgraded in 2005, and it serves as the central referral point for free quit-smoking services across the territory.

Source: TACO, Department of Health — Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183

Is help to quit smoking free in Hong Kong?

Yes. The 1833 183 hotline is government-funded and toll-free. The cessation services it refers you to — counselling, smoking-cessation medication, acupuncture and telephone follow-up — are provided free of charge by the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority and partner NGOs.

Source: TACO, Department of Health — Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183 , GovHK — Quitting Smoking & Tobacco Control

What does the 1833 183 hotline offer?

Trained registered nurses give counselling, information on quit-smoking medication and tips for handling withdrawal symptoms. They help you draw up a personal quit plan and refer you to a suitable free cessation service. A 24-hour automated system also lets you assess your nicotine dependence and obtain recorded information at any time.

Source: TACO, Department of Health — Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183

What is the 戒煙達人 app and what other cessation services exist?

The Department of Health offers a free app, 戒煙達人 (Quit Smoking App), for iPhone and Android, which tracks your progress, assesses nicotine dependence and can dial 1833 183 directly. Beyond the hotline, free in-person cessation clinics and programmes are run by the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority and NGOs including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Pok Oi Hospital.

Source: TACO, Department of Health — Quit Smoking App (戒煙達人) , Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO), Department of Health — Quitting Smoking

Who runs the hotline and what languages does it support?

The hotline is run by nurses of the Department of Health through its Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, a WHO Collaborating Centre for smoking cessation. Reflecting Hong Kong, services are available in Cantonese, Putonghua (Mandarin) and English.

Source: TACO, Department of Health — Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183