Financial incentives to stop smoking (FISS) programs have been implemented internationally to encourage people who smoke to quit smoking. A Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of existing published evidence suggests that financial incentives are 50% more likely to lead to smoking cessation than other types of support. The HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme is working with 3 pilot sites through a Health Research Board funded study in partnership with the RCSI and has developed a stop smoking gift voucher incentive scheme. This exciting new project commenced at the end of March this year.
The financial incentives to stop smoking (FISS) scheme is a HSE initiative to provide people from disadvantaged areas who smoke with an incentive to make a quit attempt and continue to engage with professional support to quit. The incentive increases engagement with stop smoking support and increases the chances of success. Incentives will be provided in the form of One4All gift vouchers. The maximum amount that someone can avail of is €400 (over a 12-month period), but this is made up of smaller amounts per visit when someone is proven to be off cigarettes through standard clinical testing. For example, if you have quit for one week you can get €20, quit for 2 weeks you will get €20, and so on. Quitting smoking can greatly improve people’s health. Incentives, such as money or vouchers, can be used to encourage smokers to quit, and to reward them if they stay stopped. Such schemes are routine practice in the UK for pregnant women who smoke.