Cash prizes offered to quitting smokers

A number of initiatives encouraging people to quit smoking are being launched today to coincide with the season of Lent.

Holidays in Florida and cash prizes totaling £10,000 are among the many rewards on offer to those who successfully kick the habit.

Among the initiatives being launched today is one by the Construction Employees Health Trust.

40,000 construction workers are being asked to quit smoking with a holiday for two on offer in Florida for the winner.

Elsewhere, the website no smokingday.net is offering £10,000 to charity for the first 2001 smokers who register on their site.

The VHI will also call of women to quit smoking today.

The health insurance body says cancer claims last year totaled £27m.