Country to Eliminate Smoking - The South Pacific nation of Niue

October 17, 2007 - Country to Eliminate Smoking - The South Pacific nation of Niue, population about 1,500, could become the first country in the world to eliminate smoking by paying its 200 smokers to quit the habit, its premier said Monday (10/15/07). Premier Vivian Young said it would be cheaper to pay all smokers up to NZ$2,000 (US$1,543; euro1,085) each to stop smoking than to continue paying their health care costs. "Of course I am serious. If your health bill is climbing beyond NZ$200,000 (US$154,000; euro108,000), up to NZ$1 million (US$771,000; euro542,000), per year then it is preferable to pay (smokers to quit)," he told reporters at the South Pacific Forum meeting in Tonga. (Niue is a free association with New Zealand - diplomatic relations are conducted by New Zealand.) (South Pacific's Niue may pay smokers to quit, The China Post, October 16, 2007) Other tobacco control groups are most likely using monetary incentives to convince youngsters not to use tobacco. We must convince youngsters that with a little bit of effort every kid can succeed without the use of tobacco.Click on Image to enlarge.. (TobaccoWatch.org)