Prevention and control of smoking behaviors among adolescents in Macau

Abstract

The smoking prevalence among population in Macau has been steadily declined in the past 10 years and Macau boasts one of the lower smoking prevalences in the world. However, the prevalence of adolescent smoking is relatively high. This article described the MPOWER anti-smoking package for adolescents in Macau. It also offered suggestions for future improvements in controlling smoking of the young people, including monitoring illicit tobacco trade and smuggling, raising the age limit to buy tobacco products, innovating the methods of health education on harms of tobacco smoke, and enhancing scrutiny on smoking behavior around school campuses. The smoking prevalence among adolescents can be reduced with comprehensive and inclusive anti-smoking programs which are tailored to behavioral and psychological characteristics of young people, in line with the local social-economic contexts, and take on advantages of scientific and technological developments.

Abstract

【摘要】 中国澳门地区居民吸烟率在过去十多年呈现稳定下降趋势, 是全球吸烟率较低地区之一, 但青少年吸烟率仍相 对较髙。文章阐述了中国澳门地区有关青少年控烟MPOWER(M-Monitor, 监测烟草在人群中使用比率; P-Protect, 保护未 吸烟人士免受烟草烟雾危害; O−Offer, 为吸烟者提供戒烟帮助; W-Warn, 警示烟草的危害; E-Enforce, 禁止烟草广告、促销 和赞助; R-Raise, 提髙烟税)六项措施, 指出了今后需要强化的方面, 包括加强走私和贩卖烟草的监管、提髙购买烟草产品 的年龄上限、改变控烟宣传方式和严密监测校园附近吸烟行为。针对青少年行为和心理发育特点, 结合中国澳门本地经济 社会状况, 利用现代科技成果于控烟实践中, 进一步降低澳门青少年吸烟率, 维护青少年身心健康。