As part of an effort to help prisoners quit smoking, Scotland has introduced a smoking ban in prisons. Instead, there are now e-cigarettes distributed free of charge to detainees who wish.
72% OF INMATES TO BE CONVERTED TO QUIT SMOKING WITH E-CIGARETTE
In Scotland, it is estimated that around 72% of prisoners smoke regularly, although tobacco sales ceased last week in anticipation of the impending ban on smoking in prisons. Contrary to this, vaping is still allowed and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has offered e-cigarette kits for free to prisoners who requested them.
The director general of the SPS said the smoking ban would bring "significant improvements". The date of the ban was announced following a major report on the exposure of prison workers to second-hand smoke in July 2017. The study in question showed that smoke concentrations in some cells were similar to those found in bars before the smoking ban in Scotland in 2006. She also reported that prison staff had been exposed to similar levels of smoke to someone living with a smoker.
The report prompted the SPS to commit to making Scottish prisons 'smoke-free' by the end of 2018. A similar ban has already been introduced in many many prisons in England. Prisoners were previously allowed to smoke in cells and in certain areas outside places of detention, while staff were not allowed to smoke.
The SPS worked with partner agencies on a number of services to help inmates to quit smoking, such as smoking cessation groups and access to nicotine substitutes in each prison. Free vaping kits are still on sale but they will be offered at normal prices from April 2019.
