By Penny Walker on Wednesday, 21 Feb 2007 Bingo clubs could soon acquire an additional function as a support group for smokers eager to wean themselves from the habit.
Mecca Bingo bosses have announced that they are thinking of providing players with free nicotine patches and deterrent chewing gum.
The announcement of the imaginative scheme, which is designed to challenge the forthcoming smoking ban, may be seen as timely - at the start of Lent, many people are looking to shake off unhealthy habits.
Mecca halls, operated by Rank, will also run advice sessions for quitting members, possibly in conjunction with local primary care trusts, Rank spokesman Max Wylde said.
Although some commentators have predicted the demise of live bingo in favour of online bingo, bingo halls are working to develop innovative strategies to retain players.
This week, Gala Coral, which owns the Gala bingo hall chain, announced the introduction of handheld bingo-playing consoles which would enable smokers to stay in the game while they left the hall to smoke.
After the introduction of the public places smoking ban in Scotland last March, custom in Scottish bingo halls declined, forcing bosses to demand a tax rebate from Gordon Brown in compensation for lost income.
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