(72) Impact of COVID-19 on Young Smokers’ Smoking Behavior and the Youth Quitline Service

Ms. Long Kwan Ho¹, Dr. William Ho Cheung Li¹, Professor Tai Hing Lam^2
1School of Nursing, the University of Hong Kong, HONG KONG, Hong Kong SAR, ²School of Public Health, the University of Hong Kong, HONG KONG, Hong Kong SAR

Background
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for COVID-19. Advocacy for tobacco control is needed to reduce harm from the pandemic. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government implemented anti-epidemic measures that have impacted everyday lives. However, it remains unknown how this has affected young smokers’ smoking behavior. We aimed to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young smokers’ smoking behavior and the Youth Quitline service in Hong Kong.

Methods
We conducted a telephone survey involving 201 participants from our individualized Youth Quitline service, and retrospectively analyzed the operation and use of Quitline since the COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong.

Results
The number of incoming calls to Youth Quitline and participants’ quit rate increased since the COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong. Many participants (68%) did not realize tobacco use potentially increased their risk for developing and spreading COVID-19; however, 43% agreed the pandemic motivated their intention to quit and 83% changed their smoking habits during the pandemic. These changes were mainly due to wearing masks (30%), closure of bars/pubs (25%), suspension of classes (14%), and being unable to socialize with friends (24%). Overall, 58% reduced their tobacco use; of these participants, 66% reported a ≥50% reduction in daily cigarette consumption.

Conclusions
Young smokers reduced smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite lacking knowledge about the potentially increased risk for COVID-19 from continued smoking. The pandemic could create new opportunities to motivate young smokers to quit smoking and further contribute to reducing the risks from COVID-19.

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