A European-based smoking cessation therapy network recently
launched its first Asian operation in Hong Kong, the government of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said in a press
release Thursday.
"I Quit Smoking (IQS)" is the registered Hong Kong master
franchise of a European-based company Quit Smoking International,
an international franchise network offering therapy to help people
quit smoking.
In view of the growing awareness on health among the community
and the government's commitment to control smoking, the company
sees tremendous business opportunities in the market for
health-related therapies, said the statement.
Hong Kong has demonstrated increasing focus on community health
and fitness. In particular, it is focusing on the risks of tobacco
smoke and is introducing anti-smoking legislation in January 2007,
Managing Director of IQS Gary Clark was quoted as saying.
"In this regard, 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," he said.
He pointed out that the launch in Hong Kong was 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."
Quit Smoking International, the parent company of IQS, was
established six years ago with its patented therapy for smoking
cessation. It has successfully launched over 300 centers throughout
Europe, the Middle East and the U.S.
(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2007)