A pilot council scheme has been proposed to curb smoking rates, offering smokers the chance to earn £200 each in cash if they quit for good. The new scheme has been proposed after smoking rates stopped declining, with more than 10% of a council's residents still sparking up cigarettes. (Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)To confirm they had quit smoking, potential participants in the new scheme would have to prove they were quitting by taking exhaled carbon monoxide tests. The payments of the £200 for quitters and £400 for pregnant smokers giving up cigarettes would be paid in instalments to participants hoping to give up their smoking habit. A report by Cheshire East Council stated: "Robust evidence demonstrates that financial incentive schemes are an effective method of helping people to quit.

Source: The Star May 31, 2022 23:28 UTC