Actor Li T'ai-fu Honors Promise, Awards Guards Who Quit Smoking

Three correctional officers at Keelung Detention Center have successfully quit smoking, achieving a significant personal victory after participating in a "Quit Smoking to Win" competition. These dedicated individuals, each with a smoking habit of over 20 years, completed a three-month challenge to break free from nicotine addiction.

Actor Li T'ai-fu, fresh off his recent accolades including Best Actor awards at the New York and Los Angeles film festivals for his role in "Breaking Through 3,000 Meters," returned to the detention center to honor his promise. He presented the "88 Love Spray, Quit Smoking Dad Award" to the three officers who successfully quit, and a "Keep Trying Award" to another officer who faltered but is encouraged to persevere.

The initiative was co-organized by the Keelung Detention Center and the John Tung Foundation. Center Director Wen Rui-hsiang highlighted the difficulty of quitting after decades of smoking, comparing it to a marathon that requires unwavering determination. He praised the officers' commitment to their health and their families.

“

Quitting smoking is like running a marathon; never give up.

One of the successful participants, a 40-year-old officer who smoked for 22 years, shared that his daughter's comment about his receding hairline motivated him to quit. He realized that smoking was affecting his health and appearance, and he didn't want to disappoint her. He also noted that after quitting, he discovered how unpleasant the smell of smoke truly is.

The event also served to encourage inmates to participate in similar anti-smoking programs, promoting a healthier environment within the correctional facility. The detention center aims to foster a culture of well-being, with efforts like these contributing to the overall health and morale of both staff and residents.

“

Before quitting, I smoked a pack a day. My daughter once said my hairline seemed to be receding, which worried me that smoking was affecting my health and looks. I didn't want to disappoint her, so I decided to quit.