“Our aim is to provide an improved environment for both staff and inmates in all our adult correctional facilities and to achieve compliance with the Smoke Free Places Act,” said Attorney General Jamie Ballem. “This decision reinforces government’s commitment to protect the public and workers from the negative effects of second hand smoke.”

An implementation team will be set up in the coming weeks to begin the planning required for the implementation of a tobacco ban in adult correctional facilities. Implementation activities will include smoking cessation programs, education sessions, training and consultation with other criminal justice and health partners.

“Historically, we have been moving toward reducing smoking in correctional facilities through such things as restricting smoking areas, air quality analysis and smoking cessation programs. Part of the planning and implementation process will be to build on these initiatives,” said Attorney General Ballem. “This process continues to be a joint labour/management initiative with ongoing staff consultation and input.”