Comparative matrix

Findings have been tabled in the following comparative matrix which presents prison smoking bans in prisons within four selected policy options-(if stringently policed):

NEGATIVE

OUTCOMES

Partial bans with OCP (prisoner only) 100% bans with OCP 100% bans (prisoner only) with OCP 100% bans without OCP
Tobacco black market YES YES YES
Prisoner/staff tensions YES YES
Vandalism YES
Increased costs of OCP YES YES
Increased costs policing black market tobacco trade-smuggling/dealing with complaints YES YES YES
POSITIVE

OUTCOMES

Partial bans with OCP (prisoner only) 100% bans with OCP 100% bans (prisoner only) with OCP 100% bans without OCP
Decline in contraband drug trade YES YES YES
Reduction in policing costs –moving prisoners-responding to vandalism/tensions YES YES YES
Cost savings for associated health issues within prisons YES

Lesser degree

YES YES YES
Reduction in cessation rates (longterm) YES

Lesser degree

YES YES

Prisoner only

Cost saving with potential law suits regarding SHS exposure YES YES
ETS levels (elimination) YES YES

Notes:

1.                  Optimal Cessation programmes (OCP) are free and sustained (not one off applications)

Further points:

1.         Violence in prisons is not proven to be correlated with increasing smoking bans.

2.         Although surmised, studies show no proven correlation in crime reduction due to 100% smoking bans.

The comparative matrices show the greatest negative consequences accompany 100% bans which do not include prison staff. The least negative outcomes accompany partial bans; however, partial bans have far less positive outcomes than all other smoking bans. 100% smoking bans for prisoners and staff including OCP programmes have the greatest number of positive outcomes. Smoking bans partial or otherwise do not demonstrably succeed in maintaining lower smoking numbers if they are not implemented with accompanying specialised, culturally appropriate, support services including counselling, medical advice, and monitoring.

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