Hartz IV smoking cessation otherwise punishment

24/11/2012

Like the magazine „Gegen-Hartz.de“ reported in its latest issue, sent the job center Nienburg in Lower Saxony as part of their project „Perspective 50plus“ Invitations to older Hartz IV recipients for smoking cessation. The special thing about it is that the invitees do not even have the choice to decide for this course of their own free will. Because in the cover letter is clearly stressed that the participation is mandatory, otherwise the rule rate is reduced by 10 percent for three months as a sanction.

„An important requirement for smoking cessation is the firm will to quit smoking“, reports Christian Meyer, physician from Hanover. Because every smoker knows that smoking cigarettes damages your health and significantly increases your risk of heart attack or cancer. Meyer therefore criticizes the involuntary nature of the course, which should bring little chance of success. But it looks different with incentives. These could increase the motivation and encourage it to persevere.

For „Gegen-Hartz.de“ However, there is another aspect to be criticized. Every adult in Germany has the freedom to decide for himself, whether he reaches for a stink or not. Apparently the authority ignores this important aspect. (Gr)

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Picture credits: Thorsten Freyer