KUALA KUMPUR: Smokers who want to quit the habit should join the JomQuit programme, available at over 1,000 clinics nationwide.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said since it's launch in 2019, the programme has managed to help over 4,347 to quit, up till last year.
He said the JomQuit programme involves about 784 health clinics, 300 private clinics and 16 university clinics.
"In total we have more than 1,000 clinics under the JomQuit programme.
"From 2019 to last year, 7,947 smokers joined the programme and of that, 4,347 have managed to stop smoking, which puts us at a 53.47 per cent success rate," he said to reporters after the launch of the 'Cik Era' Chatbot via the JomQuit website at the Prince Court Medical Centre, here.
The Cik Era Chatbot is a collaboration between professional bodies, non-governmental organisations and the private sector, aimed at tackling the issue of smoking, in line with the enforcement of the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024.
In line with the latest technological advancements, JomQuit services have been enhanced digitally with the introduction of the Cik Era Chatbot launched today, which can provide smokers and vape users with advice on quitting, 24 hours a day, before connecting them with trained stop-smoking service providers.
Dr Dzulkefly said he hoped the government could achieve more especially as they approach various innovative and creative ways to come forward and seek help to stop smoking.
"We want to introduce a more compassionate and empathetic approach for smoking cessation.
"We are very fair to those who are still trapped in nicotine addiction. We want to approach them and make them come forward to be given a chance to treat their nicotine reliance.
"We hope with this new and innovative approach, they will come forward whether online or physically to our clinics or to private clinics and hospitals," he said.
Under the implementation of the new act, the JomQuit stop-smoking services via the website jomquit.moh.gov.my will be widely promoted through displays on new no-smoking warning signs and on all cigarette and tobacco product packaging.
In an effort to strengthen smoking cessation services in the country the ministry is also planning to implement initiatives such as the use of artificial intelligence technology and teleconsultation, in addition to ongoing educational and advocacy activities to prevent smoking.