Just days after Hong Kong
enacted a ban on public smoking, a European company that helps smokers give up
cigarettes has announced plans to open its first office in the special
administrative region.
Hong Kong has demonstrated increasing focus on community health and fitness,
Gary Clark, the managing director of I Quit Smoking, said in a statement
released yesterday. In particular, it is focusing on the risks of tobacco smoke
and has introduced anti-smoking legislation, he said.
IQS is the registered Hong Kong master franchise of European-based Quit
Smoking International.
"Hong Kong is leading the way in Asia. And yet there seems to be very few
services on offer to actually help smokers quit. This is a great opportunity for
IQS Hong Kong to offer a valuable service to the local community," Clark said.
He said the launch in Hong Kong is an important first step for the company's
Asia strategy. "Hong Kong is our springboard to expand in the Asia Pacific
region. This is our first Asian operation and will become the reference center
for the region."
