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E-cigarettes being sold in prison shops in smoking ban pilot | E-cigarettes being sold in prison shops in smoking ban pilot |
(35 minutes later) | |
Prisoners are being allowed to smoke e-cigarettes as part of a pilot scheme that could lead to a jail smoking ban. | Prisoners are being allowed to smoke e-cigarettes as part of a pilot scheme that could lead to a jail smoking ban. |
BBC News has learned that a brand of disposable e-cigarettes has been on sale in three prisons for two months. | BBC News has learned that a brand of disposable e-cigarettes has been on sale in three prisons for two months. |
The Prison Service said last year it was committed to introducing a smoking ban across the prison estate in England and Wales to reduce health risks. | The Prison Service said last year it was committed to introducing a smoking ban across the prison estate in England and Wales to reduce health risks. |
A spokesman said it was looking into whether disposable e-cigarettes were suitable for use in prisons. | A spokesman said it was looking into whether disposable e-cigarettes were suitable for use in prisons. |
The e-cigarette brand, Bull, is available in prison shops in the women's jail Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire and the men's prisons Preston in Lancashire and Stocken in Rutland. | The e-cigarette brand, Bull, is available in prison shops in the women's jail Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire and the men's prisons Preston in Lancashire and Stocken in Rutland. |
Legal action | Legal action |
It is understood about 50 were bought in the men's prisons in the first week and weekly sales are now in single figures. | It is understood about 50 were bought in the men's prisons in the first week and weekly sales are now in single figures. |
A ban is also being proposed because of legal action taken by prison officers and inmates who have complained about the effects of passive smoking. | A ban is also being proposed because of legal action taken by prison officers and inmates who have complained about the effects of passive smoking. |
Officials at the National Offender Management Service (Noms), which runs prisons, started the e-cigarette scheme as a way of preparing the ground for what they acknowledge would be a "major change". | Officials at the National Offender Management Service (Noms), which runs prisons, started the e-cigarette scheme as a way of preparing the ground for what they acknowledge would be a "major change". |
An estimated 80% of prisoners currently smoke; which is allowed in prison cells but not in other parts of jails including exercise yards. | An estimated 80% of prisoners currently smoke; which is allowed in prison cells but not in other parts of jails including exercise yards. |
Noms is believed to have been impressed with the implementation of a smoking ban in Guernsey's Les Nicolles prison which came into effect last year. | Noms is believed to have been impressed with the implementation of a smoking ban in Guernsey's Les Nicolles prison which came into effect last year. |
But no date has been set for the ban to be introduced in England and Wales. | But no date has been set for the ban to be introduced in England and Wales. |
Public places | Public places |
A Prison Service spokesman said: "We are looking into whether disposable e-cigarettes are suitable for use in prisons and are currently conducting a trial in three prisons." | A Prison Service spokesman said: "We are looking into whether disposable e-cigarettes are suitable for use in prisons and are currently conducting a trial in three prisons." |
The Prison Officers' Association (POA) began campaigning for a smoking ban in all UK prisons in 2007. | The Prison Officers' Association (POA) began campaigning for a smoking ban in all UK prisons in 2007. |
The POA had expressed concerns about staff and prisoners "forced to suffer the harmful effects of second-hand smoke". | The POA had expressed concerns about staff and prisoners "forced to suffer the harmful effects of second-hand smoke". |
It came after smoking bans were introduced across the UK, to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke in workplaces and enclosed public spaces. | It came after smoking bans were introduced across the UK, to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke in workplaces and enclosed public spaces. |
A ban came into effect in England in July 2007 following similar legislation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | A ban came into effect in England in July 2007 following similar legislation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
The bans did not apply to prisoners as their cells were defined as "domestic premises", although non-smoking prisoners could not be made to share a cell with a smoker. | The bans did not apply to prisoners as their cells were defined as "domestic premises", although non-smoking prisoners could not be made to share a cell with a smoker. |
Guernsey and the Isle of Man were the first two European jurisdictions to introduce a blanket smoking ban in prison grounds. | Guernsey and the Isle of Man were the first two European jurisdictions to introduce a blanket smoking ban in prison grounds. |
A spokesman for the Prison Governors Association said "anything that could protect not only staff but other prisoners and visitors from second-hand smoke inhalation is obviously welcomed. | |
"We will be watching this trial with interest to see just how successful it is." |
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