Hong Kong residents are being encouraged to combat smoking in the city by adopting a unique approach – staring disapprovingly at smokers.
The initiative, known as “staring down smokers,” aims to create a tobacco-free environment by employing social pressure.
The campaign was launched by the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) and encourages non-smokers to give smokers a disapproving look when they light up in public spaces.
COSH hopes that the disapproving stares will make smokers more aware of the negative social impact of their habit and potentially motivate them to quit. They believe that this approach can create a sense of social responsibility and encourage smokers to think twice before lighting up in public places, where smoking is prohibited.
The “staring down smokers” campaign is part of a wider effort to make Hong Kong a tobacco-free city. While smoking rates have been declining in recent years, smoking is still prevalent in certain areas, especially among the older population.
By utilizing social pressure, COSH aims to change societal attitudes towards smoking and create an environment where smoking is seen as socially unacceptable.
This unconventional approach has sparked mixed reactions from the public. While some see it as an innovative way to discourage smoking, others question its effectiveness and argue that it may lead to confrontations.
Nevertheless, COSH remains optimistic about the campaign’s potential impact and hopes that it will contribute to the long-term goal of a tobacco-free Hong Kong.
Do you think this is an effective strategy?
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