Shenzhen's Digital Health Helps 10,000 Smokers Quit

Over 1,000 community health centers in Shenzhen are now equipped with a digital smoking cessation module, contributing to China's national efforts to decrease smoker numbers.

This system has facilitated the screening of over 13 million first-time patients for smoking habits and has successfully assisted more than 10,000 individuals in quitting.

Through automated prompts during routine medical visits, physicians identify smokers and offer immediate enrollment in personalized support programs. These programs include regular follow-ups to monitor progress and health indicators, aiming to reduce relapse and improve quit rates.

Inspired by Shenzhen's model, cities like Shijiazhuang, Suzhou, and Wuhu are exploring various community-based strategies, including online counseling and incentives.

China's Healthy China Initiative targets a 20% smoking rate among adults by 2030, with over 250 cities enacting local smoking control regulations. Several major cities have already achieved this goal ahead of schedule, with Shenzhen reporting an adult smoking rate of 17.4% as of the article's reference period.

Despite progress, challenges remain, including a slowing decline in the smoking rate since 2022 and persistent public misconceptions about the harms of smoking and secondhand smoke. Future plans include expanding smoke-free campus initiatives and integrating diverse cessation resources.