Incheon Namdong-gu, Nation's First Customized Smoking Cessation Call Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Namdong-gu, Incheon, is providing a customized smoking cessation call pilot service for those wishing to quit smoking until the end of October.

This service, the first of its kind nationwide, is conducted through a policy research project by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, in cooperation with the Incheon Regional Smoking Cessation Support Center and public health centers.

Due to restrictions on using smoking cessation clinics caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the service aims to improve accessibility to non-face-to-face smoking cessation support.

Those wishing to quit smoking can apply for counseling through a dedicated QR code, and counselors receive the requests and provide consultation services by phone. Compared to directly contacting the smoking cessation counseling phone line, this allows convenient application for counseling without being restricted by time or place.

When applying for the public health center's smoking cessation clinic through the smoking cessation counseling call, smoking cessation aids are provided, and continuous counseling support from smoking cessation counselors is available afterward. A commemorative gift is also given upon successful smoking cessation for six months.

A representative from Namdong-gu Public Health Center stated, "Smokers belong to a high-risk group for COVID-19 infection, so quitting smoking is necessary for the health of both themselves and their families," and added, "We hope that the number of applicants and successful quitters increases, leading to improved health for the residents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.