Scottish smokers to be paid to quit

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Smokers in deprived parts of the city of dundee areto be paid to kick the habit in an initiative between public health organzations.municipal authorities and the scottish government. the poilot scheme to be tried in dundee,north of edinburgh,will see smokers offered12.50pounds per week to quit.health bosses hope that 900smokers will give up as a result in the next two years.the money will be credited onto an electronic card.which they can redeem at their local supermarket for fresh food and other groceries,but not cigarettes and alcohol,local health body NHS said.the money will be available for up to 12weeks,with participants receiving nicotine replacement therapy through their local pharmacy,where they will also undergo weekly carbon monoxide tests to prove they have not succumbed.if successful,the scheme could be rolled out across scotland,which has high instances of coronary heart disease and cance linked to smoking and poor diet,particularly in the "central blit"between edinburgh and glasgow.the scottish govemment in edinburgh banned smoking in public places such as pubs and restaurants,in march2006