Police Use Hypnotherapy to Quit Smoking

The police are calling upon the skills of hypnotherapists to help officers quit cigarettes in the lead up to the July ban on smoking in public places.

The West Midlands Police Force is offering to pay for officers to have a single session of hypnotherapy to help them kick the habit. If all its estimated 3,500 smokers take up the offer it could cost the force £100,000.

The West Midlands Force, which has one of the best sickness and attendance records in the country, is prepared to do this because it believes it will save money in the long run.

Officers will have one free session and will pay for their own follow-up sessions if required.

The Police are not allowed at present to smoke in uniform in public, but when the smoking legislation comes into effect the force will also have to close its 100 remaining smoking rooms.

Hypnotherapy has a high degree of success in helping smokers to quit after a single session, though it is important for the client to have a genuine determination to end their habit. Further sessions may be needed if the person’s reasons for smoking have a more complex cause.

See the original story at bbc.co.uk.