Quitting made cheaper

Smokers in Belgium will from February 1 pay a lot less than previously to try anti-smoking medication, and they will be reimbursed for up to three courses of treatments every five years, according to a story in The Brussels Times.

Under the new scheme, smokers will be able to get a starter kit that they are required to try for two weeks before they are granted access to a complete course of anti-smoking medication.

The kit sells for €49.95, which, currently, the smokers must pay.

But from the start of next month, those under a preferential regime will have to pay €9.80, while everyone else will have to pay €14.80.

Also from the start of next month, smokers will be reimbursed for up to three complete courses of treatment every five years, whereas currently they can be reimbursed only for two treatments in that time period.