Young smokers could see the scope of their health insurance expand if they are willing to take steps to quit the habit through smoking-cessation treatments.
To lower future medical costs caused by nicotine addiction and reduce the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease, the health ministry has said it is considering expanding coverage to include a treatment program implemented in 2006.
But getting people to jump on the bandwagon is a challenge because only about half of heavy smokers have been successful with the treatments offered under the coverage thus far.