Beijing smokers offered free clinical help to kick the habit

Beijing's health authorities have launched a new program to help smokers quit the habit, The Mirror reported on Tuesday.

The program will see 300 people receive free cessation treatments at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing Hospital, Fuxing Hospital and Peking University People's Hospital.

It includes introductory and routine checkups for a year as well as a month's supply of medication.

Private cessation clinics will also provide free consultations as part of the program, which was launched Monday by the capital's Health Commission and its Patriotic Health Campaign Committee.

Smokers can register by calling 12320 or scanning the accompanying QR code to connect with the campaign commission on WeChat.

Last year, the city's Disease Control and Prevention Center recruited 105 taxi drivers for a similar cessation program. The CDC later reported that 41 percent had quit smoking within six months.