Clubs find smoking deal mesmerising

Two Nelson clubs that subsidised a hypnotist to help their members give up smoking are delighted with the results and say they would repeat it.

The Nelson Suburban Club and Motueka Memorial RSA last month subsidised members to attend stop-smoking seminars by Christchurch-based hypnotist Owen Patterson.

Pubs, bars and clubs became smokefree on December 10, and the two clubs said they wanted to help their members cope with the change.

Suburban Club manager Glen Beattie said he had not seen all of the 23 members who took up the offer, but the majority appeared to have at least cut down their smoking.

"When he comes back again we will try and promote it further, and probably offer the same type of deal."

Suburban Club member Rewa Eden said the treatment worked for her.

She had smoked about 20 cigarettes a day, but was now down to about two by continuing to listen to the motivational tape provided.

"If I listen to the tape I don't smoke. It gets him [Mr Patterson] back into my subconscious."

And Motueka RSA secretary manager Warwick Burke said four of the 15 members who took the course had given up, and a further six had cut their smoking in half.

"It's a good result, very pleasing. We would do the same thing again."

Both clubs reported a positive response to the smokefree legislation.

About a third of the Motueka RSA members smoked and Mr Burke said the club was "on edge" when the law came into force, but smoking members accepted the change and were prepared to smoke outside.

Mr Beattie said the response from Suburban Club members had been excellent. "The majority of heavy smokers smoke outside at home anyway."

- NZPA