The Scotsman

Free vaping kits to help prisoners quit tobacco

● Smoking ban to be fully enforced in jails from 30 November

- By LUCINDA CAMERON

Prisoners who smoke will be offered free vaping kits as jails prepare to go smoke-free this autumn.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) last year announced plans to make all jails tobaccofre­e amid concerns about the health risks posed by passive smoking.

The SPS said its establishm­ents hold the highest concentrat­ion of smokers in society, with almost 80 per cent of prisoners saying they smoke compared with just under 20 per cent of people for the national average.

It plans to offer free vaping kits to help prisoners prepare for the ban, which comes into force on 30 November.

An SPS spokesman said: “We recognise the difficult journey for some of those in our care during this transition and are planning to support them by giving the option to take up a

0 The kits will consist of a rechargeab­le vaping device and three cartridges, to help prisoners adjust

rechargeab­le vaping device (RVD) introducto­ry pack at no cost to the individual.

“The introducti­on of RVDS is an interim process to help those with deep-seated habits to break this and save money

for the public purse in the long term.

“While stopping smoking and nicotine consumptio­n completely will always be the best option, RVDS will help those in our care to cope without

access to tobacco while in custody.

“The RVDS chosen recognise the specific security measures for use in a custodial environmen­t.”

Restrictio­ns on smoking in enclosed public spaces, including most workplaces, were implemente­d in 2006 in Scotland. However, prisoners have been allowed to smoke in cells.

The SPS spokesman added:

SPS SPOKESMAN

“Informatio­n will be provided to those in custody on all the options available to them to help them stop smoking and cope with a tobacco-free environmen­t.

“As of 30 November, tobacco and tobacco-related products will become a prohibited article in any prison in Scotland, meaning it will be a criminal offence to introduce tobacco into a prison.”

The scheme will cost around £200,000. The vaping kits – containing a vaping device and three cartridges – will be free until around mid-january and will then be sold at a reduced cost until June, when they will go up to full price.

 ?? PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOT­O ??
PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOT­O

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