German residents who quit smoking can receive government payments of up to 10,000 Euros, News24 reported March 3.

Cash prizes will be given to smokers who register for the German Health Ministry's Smoke-Free 2006 program and quit for at least four months. "You will not only be richer but healthier too," said Health Minister Ulla Schmidt.

The health ministry and the German Cancer Research Center sponsor the program, which starts in May. Winners will be randomly selected from those who sign up. This year's program is targeting young smokers, with outreach via pharmacies, doctors, insurers, and the Internet.

About 90,000 people registered for the program when it was held in 2004, and about one-third quit smoking, officials said.