Person leaving hospital shedding cigarettes

Kicking the Habit: Strategies for Staying Smoke-Free After Leaving the Hospital

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how Hong Kong hospitals are tackling smoking cessation and the surprising factors that influence long-term abstinence."

Quitting smoking is tough, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your health. Hospitals can be a great place to start, as many require patients to abstain from smoking during their stay. This enforced break can be a powerful motivator, but what happens when patients leave the hospital environment? How can they maintain that initial momentum and stay smoke-free?

A recent study published in BMJ Open explored these questions among Chinese patients in Hong Kong. Researchers investigated the smoking behaviors of individuals admitted to hospitals and identified key predictors of whether they would remain abstinent after discharge. The findings offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for smoking cessation in this population.

Cigarette smoking is responsible for around 7 million deaths annually worldwide. It harms nearly every organ in the body and is associated with numerous diseases, including stroke, diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease and respiratory disease. Although the prevalence of daily cigarette smoking in Hong Kong has decreased from 23.3% in 1982 to 10.5% in 2015, 641 300 everyday smokers remain, and 400000 hospitalisations per year are attributable to smoking. Such compelling numbers cannot be overlooked or neglected.

The Hospital as a Turning Point: Understanding Smoking Behaviors

Person leaving hospital shedding cigarettes

Hospitals present a unique opportunity for smoking intervention. Patients are often more receptive to quitting when faced with a health scare, and the smoke-free environment can help break the cycle of addiction. However, the study revealed some concerning trends:

A significant number of patients continue to smoke even while hospitalized. The study found that 23.6% of smokers admitted to secretly smoking during their hospital stay, highlighting the powerful grip of nicotine addiction.

Relapse is Common: A large majority of smokers resume smoking after leaving the hospital. The study indicated that about 76.1% of smokers went back to their old habits post-discharge.
Withdrawal Symptoms: Many patients struggle with withdrawal symptoms during their hospital stay. These symptoms can be a major barrier to maintaining abstinence, both in and out of the hospital.
The Importance of Support: Receiving smoking cessation support from healthcare professionals during hospitalization significantly increases the likelihood of staying smoke-free.

These findings underscore the need for more effective strategies to support patients in their efforts to quit smoking, both during and after their hospital stay.

Empowering Patients for a Smoke-Free Future

The study's findings offer actionable insights for improving smoking cessation interventions in hospitals. By addressing misconceptions about smoking, managing withdrawal symptoms, and providing comprehensive support, healthcare professionals can empower patients to achieve lasting abstinence and improve their overall health. The goal is to leverage that teachable moment in hospital to produce long lasting health benefits.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What makes hospitals in Hong Kong a potential turning point for individuals looking to quit smoking?

Hospitals in Hong Kong offer a unique opportunity for smoking intervention because patients may be more receptive to quitting due to health concerns and the enforced smoke-free environment helps break nicotine addiction. However, it's crucial to provide support and strategies for managing withdrawal symptoms and preventing relapse after discharge to leverage this turning point effectively. Without addressing these factors, the initial motivation gained during hospitalization can quickly diminish once patients return to their usual environments.

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by Chinese patients in Hong Kong trying to quit smoking, both during and after hospitalization?

One of the major challenges is the intensity of nicotine addiction, demonstrated by the fact that a significant percentage of patients, around 23.6%, secretly smoke even while hospitalized. Furthermore, a large majority, about 76.1%, relapse after leaving the hospital. Managing withdrawal symptoms is also a significant hurdle. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive support systems, including education, counseling, and potentially pharmacological interventions, tailored to the specific needs of this population.

How significant is smoking as a health concern in Hong Kong, despite the decrease in smoking rates over the years?

Despite a decrease in daily cigarette smoking from 23.3% in 1982 to 10.5% in 2015 in Hong Kong, the impact remains substantial. There are still 641,300 everyday smokers, and smoking contributes to approximately 400,000 hospitalizations each year. Considering that cigarette smoking is responsible for around 7 million deaths annually worldwide and is linked to diseases like stroke, diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease and respiratory disease, the continuing prevalence in Hong Kong is a serious public health issue that requires continued attention.

Besides relapse rates, what other factors have been identified as critical in helping individuals maintain abstinence from smoking after being discharged from Hong Kong hospitals?

Receiving smoking cessation support from healthcare professionals during hospitalization significantly increases the likelihood of staying smoke-free. This support can include counseling, education about the dangers of smoking, strategies for managing withdrawal symptoms, and access to resources for continued support after discharge. Without this support, patients are more likely to return to smoking due to the challenges of nicotine addiction and environmental triggers.

What strategies can Hong Kong hospitals implement to better support patients in quitting smoking and maintaining long-term abstinence?

Hospitals can improve smoking cessation interventions by addressing misconceptions about smoking, effectively managing withdrawal symptoms through medical and psychological support, and providing comprehensive aftercare support. This includes ensuring access to resources like support groups, counseling services, and nicotine replacement therapy or other pharmacological interventions. Leveraging the teachable moment in hospital, and addressing the concerning trends revealed such as the percentage of individuals secretly smoking while hospitalised, is key to producing long-lasting health benefits.