UK news media representations of smoking, smoking policies and tobacco bans in prisons

To our knowledge, this study is the first to research staff and prisoner views across a whole prison system prior to implementation of smoke-free policies. The results highlight potential challenges and suggest measures which might help to maximise the success of bans. Our results are relevant for prison service managers responsible for the forthcoming introduction of a ban in Scottish prisons (November 2018) and for other prison systems and comparable institutions planning smoke-free initiatives. Given that prison smoking bans may be contentious, we recommend creating regular and open opportunities for dialogue between stakeholders when preparing for and maintaining smoke-free environments.

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“…25,26 These concerns, rather than public health gains, have dominated much media coverage around the introduction of smoke-free prisons. 27…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prison Staff and Prisoner Views on a Prison Smoking Ban: Evidence From the Tobacco in Prisons Study

Brown

Sweeting

Logan

et al. 2018

Nicotine &Amp; Tobacco Research

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“…This corroborates reports of SFPPs in Australia and the USA, 6 , 17 and contradicts common media portrayals. 18 Finally, our study strengthens understanding of successful factors for creating smokefree prisons by being the first to comprehensively investigate the perspectives of prison staff and PiC across a prison system post-implementation. The findings provide deeper insight into the role of factors such as extensive planning work; comprehensive communication and engagement with stakeholders and supporting PiC to abstain/quit smoking in successfully implementing SFPP (see also 6 , 19 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Post-implementation perspectives on smokefree prison policy: a qualitative study with staff and people in custody

Brown

Mitchell

Hunt

2021

European Journal of Public Health

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Background A comprehensive smokefree prison policy (SFPP) was introduced in Scottish prisons from November 2018, reflecting concern about inequalities in occupational exposures to second-hand smoke (SHS) and tobacco-related harms among people in custody (PiC). We aimed to address a gap, whereby few studies have sought to understand SFPP from the perspectives of people living and working in prisons. Methods As part of a comprehensive evaluation, focus groups and interviews with staff (n = 99) and interviews with PiC (n = 23) were conducted 6–9 months post-implementation of SFPP in Scotland. Data were analysed using the framework approach. Results Our study found that new restrictions on smoking had been widely accepted by PiC, after a period of adjustment which was less troublesome than participants had anticipated. Benefits of the SFPP for the safety and comfort of staff and PiC who were no longer exposed to SHS, and additionally for the health of PiC who were now smoking-abstinent, were widely acknowledged. Drawbacks of the SFPP, such as difficulties managing without tobacco and use of alternatives (e.g. e-cigarettes and changes in use of illegal drugs), were also reported. Contraband tobacco was not reported to be a major problem following prisons becoming smokefree. Conclusions The findings strengthen evidence that SFPPs can be implemented without causing major disruption and highlight the need for removal of tobacco to be underpinned by careful planning, partnership working and ensuring the availability of support for smokers. Experiences from Scotland may be of interest and some comfort, internationally for jurisdictions considering smoke-free rules in prisons.

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“…They also suggested strategies to mitigate these challenges. Some reflected media coverage of prison bans elsewhere 24 in expressing worries that a ban may precipitate serious unrest or riots.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…23 Given this context, it is perhaps unsurprising that much of the discourse around removing tobacco from prisons has focused on the risk of unrest, at the expense of discussion of potential public health gains. 24 Relatively little research has been published on the process or outcomes of prison smoking 'bans'. The best evidence available in 2015/16, following New Zealand's experience of implementing a comprehensive ban, 25,26 suggested that at least 1 year is needed to prepare for a smoke-free policy in prisons.…”

Section: Legislative and Policy Context Prior To Commencement Of The ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Process and impact of implementing a smoke-free policy in prisons in Scotland: TIPs mixed-methods study

et al. 2022

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Background Prisons had partial exemption from the UK’s 2006/7 smoking bans in enclosed public spaces. They became one of the few workplaces with continuing exposure to second-hand smoke, given the high levels of smoking among people in custody. Despite the introduction of smoke-free prisons elsewhere, evaluations of such ‘bans’ have been very limited to date. Objective The objective was to provide evidence on the process and impact of implementing a smoke-free policy across a national prison service. Design The Tobacco in Prisons study was a three-phase, multimethod study exploring the periods before policy formulation (phase 1: pre announcement), during preparation for implementation (phase 2: preparatory) and after implementation (phase 3: post implementation). Setting The study was set in Scotland’s prisons. Participants Participants were people in custody, prison staff and providers/users of prison smoking cessation services. Intervention Comprehensive smoke-free prison rules were implemented across all of Scotland’s prisons in November 2018. Main outcome measures The main outcome measures were second-hand smoke levels, health outcomes and perspectives/experiences, including facilitators of successful transitions to smoke-free prisons. Data sources The study utilised cross-sectional surveys of staff (total, n = 3522) and people in custody (total, n = 5956) in each phase; focus groups and/or one-to-one interviews with staff (n = 237 across 34 focus groups; n = 38 interviews), people in custody (n = 62 interviews), providers (n = 103 interviews) and users (n = 45 interviews) of prison smoking cessation services and stakeholders elsewhere (n = 19); measurements of second-hand smoke exposure (e.g. 369,208 minutes of static measures in residential areas at three time points); and routinely collected data (e.g. medications dispensed, inpatient/outpatient visits). Results Measures of second-hand smoke were substantially (≈ 90%) reduced post implementation, compared with baseline, largely confirming the views of staff and people in custody that illicit smoking is not a major issue post ban. Several factors that contributed to the successful implementation of the smoke-free policy, now accepted as the ‘new normal’, were identified. E-cigarette use has become common, was recognised (by both staff and people in custody) to have facilitated the transition and raises new issues in prisons. The health economic analysis (lifetime model) demonstrated that costs were lower and the number of quality-adjusted life-years was larger for people in custody and staff in the ‘with smoke-free’ policy period than in the ‘without’ policy period, confirming cost-effectiveness against a £20,000 willingness-to-pay threshold. Limitations The ability to triangulate between different data sources mitigated limitations with constituent data sets. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study internationally to analyse the views of prison staff and people in custody; objective measurements of second-hand smoke exposure and routine health and other outcomes before, during and after the implementation of a smoke-free prison policy; and to assess cost-effectiveness. The results are relevant to jurisdictions considering similar legislation, whether or not e-cigarettes are permitted. The study provides a model for partnership working and, as a multidimensional study of a national prison system, adds to a previously sparse evidence base internationally. Future work Priorities are to understand how to support people in custody in remaining smoke free after release from prison, and whether or not interventions can extend benefits to their families; to evaluate new guidance supporting people wishing to reduce or quit vaping; and to understand how prison vaping practices/cultures may strengthen or weaken long-term reductions in smoking. Study registration This study is registered as Research Registry 4802. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 10, No. 1. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

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UK news media representations of smoking, smoking policies and tobacco bans in prisons

Cited by 5 publications

References 34 publications

Prison Staff and Prisoner Views on a Prison Smoking Ban: Evidence From the Tobacco in Prisons Study

Prison Staff and Prisoner Views on a Prison Smoking Ban: Evidence From the Tobacco in Prisons Study

Post-implementation perspectives on smokefree prison policy: a qualitative study with staff and people in custody

Process and impact of implementing a smoke-free policy in prisons in Scotland: TIPs mixed-methods study

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