Many Young Smokers Feel Depressed, Finds HKU Study

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2018-05-31 HKT 18:59

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  An expert says many young people take up the habit thinking it will help them cope with stress. Image: Shutterstock

Dr William Li talks to RTHK's Wendy Wong

A Hong Kong University study has found that two out of every five young smokers in the city show signs of having depression.

The university has been running a counselling hotline since 2005 to help smokers under the age of 25 quit the habit.

In the past two years, it has helped 160 people, but only a quarter managed to stop smoking.

Dr William Li, who’s in charge of the hotline, told RTHK's Wendy Wong that many young people take up the habit because they think it will help them cope with stress.

The concern was raised as Hong Kong marked World No Tobacco Day on Thursday.