Financial rewards can help to quit smoking

A new study revealed that providing bonuses for people trying to stop smoking increases the success rates, even after incentives have stopped. The study focused on the effectiveness of incentives to help pregnant women stop smoking as it includes an analysis of 48 different studies that more than 21900 people participated in, and the incentives provided to people who want to quit smoking, include money, vouchers or financial deposits. The researchers found that people who received bonuses were more likely to stop smoking, compared to those who received no incentives, as their success continued longer than six months after the start of the experiment. The results showed that out of every 100 people received financial incentives, ten people managed to stop smoking successfully for six months or more, compared to only seven people from the group who did not receive incentives. The study confirmed that pregnant women who received rewards could stop smoking compared to the group who did not receive, either at the end of the pregnancy or after the birth of the child. The data showed that out of every 100 pregnant women received financial incentives, 13 of which managed to stop smoking for a period of six months or longer, compared to only six women from the other group. The study indicated that the value of financial rewards did not affect the results, or the benefits are small (less than $ 100) or large (over $ 700). However, the researchers noted the problems of making a fair comparison because of the difference in the importance of money between cultures and the different countries included in the studies. Smoking said the author, Jimmy Hartmann-Boyce, a researcher at the Ammest of the University of Massachusetts, said that financial incentives to the psychological system work in the brain and help smokers overcome nicotine addiction. He added that the people who participated in studies repeatedly tried to stop smoking, and only succeeded before receiving these incentives. And when smokers receive financial benefits in exchange for quitting smoking, these incentives activate the areas responsible for satisfied and achieve in the brain, which increase the feeling of motivation to continue healthy behavior. Nicotine addiction is much based on the bonus system in the brain, as smoking leads to dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that contributes to feeling happy and comfortable, and when financial incentives are offered, it provides a positive alternative to this system, which helps smokers to smoke the desire. The risks of smoking and the study indicate the need for more research on the differences between high and low financial incentives and their impact on different population groups, focusing on countries with low and medium income where tobacco use is still large. The lead author of the study, Kitlene Notley, a researcher at the university’s Norwich Medical College, explained that smoking is the leading cause of diseases and early deaths, and that it is necessary to enable individuals for a longer period to be able to live in good health individuals. “We are now very confident that incentives, including pregnant women, help to stop smoking better than not make incentives. Evidence also indicates that the effectiveness of incentives continues, even after they have stopped.”