More than £60,000 of public money has been spent on a controversial scheme to bribe pregnant women in Tayside to stop smoking.
Figures obtained using Freedom of Information legislation reveals fewer than 100 women have actually managed to remain smoke-free a success rate of less than 25%.
Furious officials at pressure group the Tax Payers’ Alliance slammed the Give It Up For Baby scheme, branding it an “unquestionable waste of money.”
They called for the NHS Tayside initiative to be scrapped and said it could even encourage people to start smoking in a bid to qualify for the free hand-outs.
Pregnant women taking part in the scheme since it began three years ago have received an average of £124 even though most have failed to remain smoke-free.
Meanwhile, the most successful applicants received up to £600.
Give it Up For Baby was introduced in April 2007, initially in Dundee.
It was then rolled out across Perth and Kinross in December 2007, and Angus in May 2008.
From April 2007 to December last year, 361 women had registered with Give it Up For Baby.
However the Freedom of Information request reveals fewer than 95 continued with the scheme until delivery.
Over the period a total of more than £62,500 was paid out.
Under Give It Up For Baby, pregnant women can claim £12.50 of grocery vouchers per smoke-free week.
Participants take weekly breath tests at their chemist to measure carbon monoxide levels and those who stay off cigarettes earn weekly credit on an Asda store card.
The cash is then supposed to be spent on groceries and baby goods.
Scottish Government ministers have praised the scheme but it has not proved universally popular.
Some non-smokers have claimed they are being penalised for their good health and responsible attitude toward their unborn child while those less healthy are rewarded.’Implausible’Tax Payers’ Alliance director Matthew Sinclair said, “The idea that people who didn’t care enough about their child’s health to stop smoking while pregnant would really change their mind in return for shopping vouchers was always implausible.
“Most of the women included in the scheme have not stuck to it and it is quite possible those that have would have behaved responsibly anyway.”
Mr Sinclair said most taxpayers would be appalled by the £60,000-plus cost of the scheme.
“This waste of taxpayers’ money should be scrapped,” he added.
“At its absolute best, this scheme is an unquestionable waste of money… and at worst some people might smoke a few cigarettes in order to qualify for the scheme.”Roll outScottish public health minister Shona Robison has revealed the controversial initiative could be rolled out across the country.
“Reducing smoking among pregnant women is a key priority for the Scottish Government,” she said.
“We are working with NHS boards to encourage pregnant smokers or smokers planning a pregnancy to quit.
“It is important to see how good local initiatives such as NHS Tayside’s Give It Up For Baby can be scaled up and delivered more systematically.”
Picture used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Valentin.Ottone.