Smokers in deprived communities of the Scottish city of Dundee will be offered cash to quit the habit as part of a new program coming in the fall.
Organizers working with the Scottish government say the $986,000 pilot program aims to help 900 of the city's 36,000 smokers to stop over the next two years.
Participants in the new initiative will be offered $25 per week credited onto an electronic card for a maximum of 12 weeks. They can redeem the money in their local supermarket for fresh food and groceries — but not alcohol and cigarettes.
Those taking part will receive nicotine replacement therapy through their local pharmacy, where they will have to do a weekly carbon monoxide breath test to prove they are smoke-free, and receive social support from the Dundee Healthy Living Initiative.
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