It is the start of a slippery slope - what next paying people not to drink and drive or paedophiles not to abuse children? I appreciate that some find coping with addictions harder than others but money should be invested in helping them give up for good instead of paying them in vouchers for what will probably only be a short term solution. I'm pregnant now myself and im not going out on a Sat night and drinking cocktails and wine anymore (for the sake of my unborn child) so do I deserve payment too? There are certain rules to follow in life (dont kill, dont smoke whilst pregnant) and in my opinion you shouldn't be rewarded for it.
Gill - 9 years ago
What you may not know is that this scheme has been widespread in most parts of the north west for a number of years now. Its hard for a lot of people to understand but the scheme really works, the large majority of specialist services struggle to retain women and maintain regular appointments throughout pregnancy, which leads to higher relapse rates as there is less support. Most women who quit smoking in pregnancy believe that after a few weeks they are over quitting and ok, In comparison its like taking antibiotics for an illness and as soon a the symptoms go alot of people simply stop taking them, when in fact they are still working and helping. This is the same except what these women often need is continual behavioural support and someone to turn to when they have a bad day or go off track. The voucher scheme helps healthcare professionals continue that contact as the vouchers are often given monthly in small amounts at a time. Contrary to what a lot of people may think the scheme is rarely abused by non smokers or smokers who lie, it is helping people who really do need the support. As a tool it is far cheaper than having just one newborn admitted to a neonatal unit or a condition which leaves a child requiring treatment for years on end and who can put a price on a life? Pregnant women metabolise nicotine at a higher rate so it is often even harder quitting for alot of women. culture and perception does need to change but until that message gets across through education and culture changes, this scheme has been proved to help wonen quit and it does save lives. Its not perfect but neithers gastric band operations for obese patients and the cost far outweighs this scheme.
It is the start of a slippery slope - what next paying people not to drink and drive or paedophiles not to abuse children? I appreciate that some find coping with addictions harder than others but money should be invested in helping them give up for good instead of paying them in vouchers for what will probably only be a short term solution. I'm pregnant now myself and im not going out on a Sat night and drinking cocktails and wine anymore (for the sake of my unborn child) so do I deserve payment too? There are certain rules to follow in life (dont kill, dont smoke whilst pregnant) and in my opinion you shouldn't be rewarded for it.
What you may not know is that this scheme has been widespread in most parts of the north west for a number of years now. Its hard for a lot of people to understand but the scheme really works, the large majority of specialist services struggle to retain women and maintain regular appointments throughout pregnancy, which leads to higher relapse rates as there is less support. Most women who quit smoking in pregnancy believe that after a few weeks they are over quitting and ok, In comparison its like taking antibiotics for an illness and as soon a the symptoms go alot of people simply stop taking them, when in fact they are still working and helping. This is the same except what these women often need is continual behavioural support and someone to turn to when they have a bad day or go off track. The voucher scheme helps healthcare professionals continue that contact as the vouchers are often given monthly in small amounts at a time. Contrary to what a lot of people may think the scheme is rarely abused by non smokers or smokers who lie, it is helping people who really do need the support. As a tool it is far cheaper than having just one newborn admitted to a neonatal unit or a condition which leaves a child requiring treatment for years on end and who can put a price on a life? Pregnant women metabolise nicotine at a higher rate so it is often even harder quitting for alot of women. culture and perception does need to change but until that message gets across through education and culture changes, this scheme has been proved to help wonen quit and it does save lives. Its not perfect but neithers gastric band operations for obese patients and the cost far outweighs this scheme.