Tobacco policy in American prisons, 2007

• Published in: Tobacco control Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. 357 - 360
• Main Authors: Kauffman, R M, Ferketich, A K, Wewers, M E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-10-2008; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Anti smoking movements; Bans; Behavior; Cigarette smoking; Correctional institutions; Criminal punishment; Departments; Health Policy - trends; Health Promotion - methods; Health Surveys; Humans; Imprisonment; Jails; Minors; Polls & surveys; Prisoner treatment; Prisoners; Prisons; Prisons - statistics & numerical data; Public health; Secondhand smoke; Smoking; Smoking cessation; Smoking Cessation - methods; Smoking Prevention; Studies; Tobacco; Tobacco policy; Tobacco smoke; United States; Violence
• ISSN: 0964-4563; 1468-3318
• DOI: 10.1136/tc.2007.024448

Objective: To examine current tobacco policy in US prisons and explore changes in prison tobacco policies over time. Data source: Telephone survey of the 52 US departments of correction. Main outcome measures: Current tobacco policy; distribution of free tobacco; availability of smoking cessation programming and cessation aids. Participants: Complete responses were received from 51 of 52 (98%) departments, while one provided partial information. Results: The majority of correctional systems (60%) reported total tobacco bans on prison grounds, with most remaining facilities (27%) having an indoor ban on tobacco use. No prisons distributed free tobacco. No major violence was reported relating to the implementation of stricter tobacco policies; however many respondents noted that tobacco became a major contraband item following the implementation of a total ban. While most prison systems with an indoor tobacco ban (86%) reported having tobacco cessation programmes, few of those with total bans (39%) continued such programmes after the initial transition period. Conclusion: Total tobacco bans have often been accompanied by the termination of tobacco cessation programmes. Such actions undermine efforts to promote long-term cessation resulting in a missed public health opportunity.