poisoning (usually by pesticides) is common (Bose
et al., 2006; Shin et al., 2004). Some new methods are also emerging, such as carbon
monoxide poisoning by intentionally burning charcoal in a confined space. In China,
Hong Kong SAR charcoal-burning accounted for a single suicide in 1997 but it is
currently among the top three most common methods of suicide (Chan et al., 2005;
Chung et al., 2001; Yip et al., 2007).
The importance of restricting the availability of commonly employed means as part
of the overall suicide prevention effort will be discussed in Chapter 7.