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27/09/2010
Pilot Scheme Remains Divisive Issue
An NHS advisory group has suggested offering incentives to people to quit smoking or to start eating healthier.
The pilot scheme saw obese people being paid to lose an agreed amount of weight. Pregnant women were also awarded supermarket vouchers to give up cigarettes. The scheme also saw children offered toys as a reward for eating more fruit and vegetables.
The independent Citizens Council, run by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has backed the scheme.
The wider public have now been approached to give their views before Nice considers implementing the policy.
Chairman of Nice, Sir Michael Rawlins, said that paying people to quit smoking was a "divisive issue".
He added: "The Citizens Council makes an important contribution to the work of Nice by providing a snapshot of what the general public thinks about controversial health challenges.
"I am extremely grateful that the council has considered whether there is a place for incentive schemes to encourage people to change their bad habits and live healthier lives.
"The majority of the council has voted in favour of the use of incentives under certain circumstances, but this clearly remains a divisive issue. We are now very keen to hear what the general public thinks about their conclusions."
(BMcN)
The pilot scheme saw obese people being paid to lose an agreed amount of weight. Pregnant women were also awarded supermarket vouchers to give up cigarettes. The scheme also saw children offered toys as a reward for eating more fruit and vegetables.
The independent Citizens Council, run by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has backed the scheme.
The wider public have now been approached to give their views before Nice considers implementing the policy.
Chairman of Nice, Sir Michael Rawlins, said that paying people to quit smoking was a "divisive issue".
He added: "The Citizens Council makes an important contribution to the work of Nice by providing a snapshot of what the general public thinks about controversial health challenges.
"I am extremely grateful that the council has considered whether there is a place for incentive schemes to encourage people to change their bad habits and live healthier lives.
"The majority of the council has voted in favour of the use of incentives under certain circumstances, but this clearly remains a divisive issue. We are now very keen to hear what the general public thinks about their conclusions."
(BMcN)
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