Smoking and its correlates in an Australian prisoner population

Abstract

Despite evidence of high rates of smoking among prisoners, there has been limited research that describes smoking patterns and risk factors associated with smoking in this group. This study describes inmate smokers and identifies factors associated with smoking in prison, using a survey comprising a cross-sectional random sample of inmates stratified by sex, age and Aboriginality. A total of 914 adult inmates (747 men, 167 women) were recruited from 29 New South Wales (Australia) correctional centres. Information on the prevalence of smoking, smoking history, smoking behaviours and other risk factors were collected. Of the participants, 79% were current smokers (78% men, 83% women). Younger inmates were more likely than older inmates to smoke (86% vs. 64%). Most individuals smoked between 11 and 20 cigarettes a day and a median of 50 grams per week. In the previous year, over half (52%) of current smokers had attempted to quit or reduce the amount they smoked. At the time of the survey, 58% of smokers had plans to quit; 21% within 3 months. Independent predictors of current smoking in the multivariate analysis were past use of cannabis and a history of illicit drug use. The prevalence of smoking in prison is extraordinarily high and exceeds that of the general community. Despite this, the majority of prisoners report plans to quit. Readily available smoking cessation advice, support and treatment are needed to assist those wanting to quit in this stressful environment. As the prevalence of smoking within the general community declines, assisting cessation in groups containing a disproportionate number of smokers will become increasingly important. Despite high levels of tobacco dependence, many prisoners intend to quit and health planners and custodial authorities need to encourage and support inmates who do attempt to quit.

Differential success rates in racial groups: Results of a clinical trial of smoking cessation among female prisoners

“…Approximately 70% -80% of prisoners have been identifi ed as current smokers ( Belcher, Butler, Richmond, Wodak, & Wilhelm, 2006 ;Colsher, Wallace, Loeffelholz, & Sales, 1992 ;Conklin, Lincoln, & Tuthill, 2000 ;Cropsey, Eldridge, & Ladner, 2004 ;Cropsey, Eldridge, Weaver, Villalobos, & Stitzer, 2006 ;Cropsey & Kristeller, 2003, 2005Sieminska, Jassem, & Konopa, 2006 ). Consistent with previous population data, one study with female prisoners found prevalence rates of smoking to be higher for Whites than Blacks (79.5% vs. 71.3%; Cropsey et al, 2004 ) and found that Black female prisoners smoked fewer cigarettes per day than did White prisoners (11.1% vs. 19.2%;Cropsey et al, 2006 ).…”

The Impact of Incarceration on Greek Female Prisoners’ Self-reported Health Status

“…Almost the same and higher rates of smokers have been reported in other Greek and international surveys [33,34,36,38,[72][73][74][75][76][77]. According to the study results, women increased their smoking habits by 20.8% during their detention period, while in previous surveys conducted in two Greek male prisons the relevant increase rates were higher (37.7% and 43.4% respectively) [33,34].…”

Tabakprävention in Gefängnissen

“…71%, N= 5959, Bereich zwischen 48% und 97% (Awofeso 2000) 72% (Awofeso, Irwin et al 2008) 78%, N= 747 (Belcher, Butler et al 2006) NSW 2001: 90%; 1996: 88% (Butler, Richmond et al 2007) 87% N=446 (Holmwood, Marriott et al 2008) 77% und 83%, verglichen mit 17.4% in der allgemeinen Gesellschaft (Richmond, Butler et al 2006) Ein Unterschied in der Prävalenz zwischen Städtischen Gefängnissen (77%) und nicht städtischen Gefängnissen (69%) wurde beschrieben (p<0.001) (Awofeso 2000).…”

“…81%, N= 5959 (Awofeso 2000) 83%, N= 167 (Belcher, Butler et al 2006) 88%, N=72 (Holmwood, Marriott et al 2008) 82.9% der weiblichen Gefangenen, die an einer Gesundheitsumfrage teilnahmen (Queensland, N=212) waren Raucherinnen (Young, Waters et al 2005 70.6% Lebenszeitprävalenz, 46.6% tägliche RaucherInnen, N= 4381 (Cropsey, Linker et al 2008) Australien Die Vergleichsdaten für Raucher in der Allgemeinbevölkerung sind wie folgt:…”

“…Innerhalb von Hafteinrichtungen mit totalem Rauchverbot rauchten 58% (Belcher, Butler et al 2006) 6% regelmäßiger Raucher setzten ihren Konsum in Haft fort (Butler, Richmond et al 2007) Die Datenlage ist jedoch zu prekär, um detaillierte Aussagen treffen zu kön-nen.…”