Benefits of no smoking in prisons Uni study finds policy works
Scotland’s smoke-free prisons policy is protecting the health of prison staff and those in custody, according to a new Stirling University study.
The research – led by the Universities of Stirling and Glasgow – found levels of secondhand smoke (SHS) fell 90 percent following the policy’s introduction.
The improvement means that air inside Scotland’s prisons has particle concentrations similar to most smoke-free environments – in some cases, cleaner than the air outdoors – and effectively eliminates the risk from second hand smoke for staff and prisoners.
The findings dispel concerns, raised before the policy was introduced, that smoke-free prisons would be difficult to maintain in the long-term.
Professor Kate Hunt, Dr Sean Semple and Dr Ruaraidh Dobson, of the Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH) at Stirling, co-led the study alongside Dr Evangelia Demou, of the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit at the
University of Glasgow.
Professor Hunt said: “This is the first comprehensive international study to objectively measure second-hand smoke in prisons across a country before, during and after the introduction of a smoke-free policy. Our work confirms that such a policy change can be successfully implemented to eliminate occupational exposures to second-hand smoke, which is linked to many illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
“Our findings are highly relevant for other jurisdictions and prison services considering organisational and policy changes relating to indoor smoking.”
Smoking has been banned in most enclosed public spaces in Scotland since 2006, however, prisons in Scotland only became smoke-free on November 30, 2018. Between those dates, prisoners were permitted to smoke in their cells and in some outdoor areas – meaning those in custody and prison staff remained exposed to SHS.
Prior to the ban, measurements had indicated that some staff groups experienced higher exposure than others, depending on the shifts they worked and the tasks they undertook. However, the latest findings confirm that there is no longer a disparity in exposure.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said: “The SPS welcomes the research and is pleased with the success of our move to smoke-free prisons and the positive impact it has had on both those in our care and our staff and visitors.”
The study – funded by the National Institute for Health Research – forms part of the wider Tobacco in Prisons study, led by Professor Hunt.
First comprehensive international study to objectively measure second-hand smoke in prisons before Prof Kate Hunt