This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the effects of community‐based contest such as Quit and Win as aids to smoking cessation.

We will address the following questions:

(I) Cessation:
1. Do competitions, contests and incentives affect rates of smoking cessation and relapse?
2. Does the amount and type of incentive alter the effect on cessation?

(II) Recruitment:
1. Do prizes improve recruitment to community smoking cessation programmes?
2. Does the amount and type of incentive alter the effect on recruitment ?

(III) General:
1. What are the cost implications to the community of incentives and contests ?
2. How great is the risk of disbenefits arising from the use of competitions and incentives, eg false claims, ineligible applicants ?