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Would-be Anti-Smoking Star to Alter Smokers

On April 16, the first Chinese medicine anti-smoking clinic was opened to the public at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, the first of its type in Beijing. It is seeking lung cancer sufferers who have smoked for many years and who are willing to share their experience with the public. It is hoped that these “Anti-smoking Stars” will help alert smokers to smoking’s dangers and to get them to stop on their own initiative.

According to Chen Yong, dean of the Tumour Department of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chinese medicine has mainly adopted traditional ways to remedy the suffering of smokers, such as acupuncture, massage, drug application. Some herbal medicines that can help lure sufferers from cigarette smoking are also used.

“Although we have many kinds of Chinese medicine, they are used mostly as assisting methods; the most important thing is the strong will to quit smoking of cigarette sufferers,” said Chen.

People who have smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day for 20 years and suffer from lung cancer may qualify as Anti-Smoking Stars.

The three people selected will be treated by famous tumour experts and part of their costs will be forgiven.