There are high hopes that large numbers of smokers will sign up for Wanganui's WERO Team Quit Smoking Challenge to start on April 1.
Dr John McMenamin, Wanganui's national primary care tobacco target champion, said the challenge was held twice a year, in April and November, and was an ideal opportunity for smokers to quit, have fun and win prize money for a charity or community organisation.
The challenge sees teams of 10 smokers competing to win a $5000 reward for finishing with the most people who quit smoking over a three-month period.
Dr McMenamin said while teams can also win prizes for leading at four weeks and eight weeks, for having the most participation on the WERO website and for having participating pregnant mothers, all major prize money must go to a charity or community group.
Of the more than 500 people who took part in the 2014 national WERO challenge, 35 per cent succeeded in quitting, lifting the result from 28 per cent in the first challenge held in late 2013.