Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital Hosts 'No Smoking Week' with Free Clinics and Screenings

According to the Central News Agency, ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital is hosting a 'No Smoking Week' from today through May 28. Through smoking cessation education, free clinics, and oral cancer screenings, the hospital is urging the public to quit smoking early and avoid metabolic syndrome. This year's theme, 'Quit Smoking, Stabilize Blood Sugar, Protect Heart and Kidneys,' highlights that smoking not only increases the risk of lung cancer but is also closely linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. WHO statistics show that approximately 8 million people die annually from tobacco-related diseases worldwide, with at least 20,000 deaths in Taiwan. Lin Chun-yu, the hospital's medical secretary, explained that while the success rate of quitting smoking through willpower alone is only 2-3%, professional education and medication can significantly improve success rates. The hospital also warned that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products pose health risks comparable to traditional cigarettes, particularly for adolescents. The hospital is integrating smoking cessation into its care for diabetes and chronic kidney disease.