Smokers are being paid to quit as part of a controversial trial underway in Tasmania.

The university run trial is currently being rolled out in Georgetown, about 50km north of Launceston – a community with one of the highest smoking rates in the country.

Those who volunteer to be part of the trial are required to attend a weekly meetings and breathe into a carbon monoxide detector.

Those who keep their word about not lighting up are paid a $50 voucher per week to be used at local businesses.