“
It’s a very
positive step for
the well-being
of the people
in our care and
the people who
work for us.
I think it’s
money well
spent.
– Scottish Prison Services spokesperson
“
A nationwide prison smoking ban was brought in last
November, but Scotland still had to contend with a high
rate of nicotine addiction in prisons.
In August, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS)
strengthened its commitment to going smoke-free
by announcing it would provide inmates with starter
kits. Prominent vape company JAC Vapour stepped
up to provide the kits. The investment by SPS totals
£150,000, averaging £14 each.
Though some have criticised the cost, the SPS insist
that this is a worthwhile investment in the long and
short-term health of both prisoners and staff.
At the time of the ban, a study found that prisoners in
Scotland had a 72 percent smoking rate, significantly
higher than any demographic in the general public.
They also had a second-hand smoking rate comparable
to a public bar in Scotland prior to the 2006 ban.
It is too early to get a full measurement of how this will
affect the prison smoking rate, but staff have praised
the changes already.
Scottish Prison Services spokesman Tom Fox said:
“It’s a very positive step for the well-being of the people
in our care and the people who work for us. I think it’s
money well spent. The health benefits for our staff and
those in our care greatly outweigh any initial cost we
have introducing the programme.”
Both prison staff and inmates have also reported a
noticeable improvement in air quality, with the SPS
claiming it to be 80 percent cleaner.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, a female inmate claimed
that providing e-cigarettes lessened the negatives of
the ban:
“There’s not been a lot of trouble, or anything like
that, since the smoking ban came in, which you would
expect, and that’s down to the fact we have had the
vapes.”
Inmates are provided with an e-cigarette and three
flavoured e-liquids free of charge. However, they are
expected to pay for refills.
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