Limerick smokers are being offered financial incentives to quit smoking

THE HSE is launching a new programme offering financial support to those in the city and Kilrush to help them to quit smoking.

The Financial Incentives to Stop Smoking (FISS) programme is being piloted in Kilrush and targeted areas of the city.

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It’s designed to offer more support and motivation to people who want to quit smoking.

The scheme will start in March and will offer those who are engaging with a programme to quit smoking and successfully quit, vouchers of up to €400 over 12 months.

To be eligible, participants need to be living in the key target areas and hold a medical card.

Health promotion and improvement officer with HSE Mid-West, Niamh Keating said: “We know most people who smoke want to quit. Financial incentives, alongside intensive professional support, are a proven way to make that ambition a reality, especially in communities with higher smoking rates.”

Research has proven that combining expert support with financial incentives can double a person’s chances of successfully quitting smoking long-term.

Those who successfully engage with the programme will get gift vouchers at various smoke-free milestones, like one week, one month, once their quit status has been verified by a carbon monoxide breath test.

One week smoke free could represent a voucher for €20,  and so on. Contact Quit Mid West at 065 686 5841 or quit.midwest@hse.ie.