A local North West council is said to be considering the idea of trialling an incentive scheme where residents will be paid to quit smoking.
With recent data showing that smoking is not only a leading cause of a number of preventable illnesses, but it also costs the economy approximately £13 billion a year – including costs of £3 billion to the NHS and to social care – Cheshire East Council is apparently looking to try out something new to tackle the problem.
It is considering trialling a smoking cessation incentive scheme to promote good health.
It comes after research by health experts Cochrane Library analysed the results of 33 trials in eight countries with more than 21,000 participants trying to give up cigarettes, and found 50% of people were more likely to stop smoking if they received some form of a financial reward than those who were not.
The study also included 10 trials looking at pregnant people trying to quit smoking, and found that in this case, quit rates for those receiving incentives were double that of those who did not.
In Cheshire East, it’s said that approximately 10.5% of the general population and 10.8% of pregnant residents smoke, which is presumably why the Council is looking at alternative ways to get people to quit.
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“There is strong evidence showing that offering financial rewards stops smoking,” said Dr Matt Tyrer – Director of Public Health at Cheshire East Council.
“Combined with regular carbon monoxide testing to prove smoking status, this can be very effective in reducing smoking rates and achieving successful quits [so] we’re looking to consider a similar innovative approach by providing vouchers as part of a wider package of support.
“[This is] to encourage people to quit smoking for good and ultimately make our residents’ lives healthier and happier.
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It’s considering an providing vouchers as part of a wider package of support / Credit: Pawel Czerwonski (via Unsplash)
“Providing vouchers for relatively small sums of money to encourage people to quit smoking is highly cost-effective, because the long-term health benefits of quitting smoking are so great, along with the financial savings of more than £4,500 a year for someone who used to smoke 20 cigarettes a day.
“Quitting smoking is also one of the best things a woman and her partner can do to protect their baby’s health through pregnancy and beyond.”
The Adults and Health Committee will consider a further report setting out the options for providing financial incentives on 18 July 2022.
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd June 2022 
