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NLIS 6 January 20, 2004 (Justice) (Health and Community Services) Eight adult custody facilities designated tobacco�free Justice Minister Tom Marshall, along with Minister of Health and Community Services Elizabeth Marshall, today announced a plan to implement tobacco-free environments at all eight adult custody facilities in the province. The transition to tobacco-free will be on-going during the next few months, with facilities slated to be fully compliant by May 3, 2004. The eight adult custody facilities include Her Majesty�s Penitentiary (HMP), Salmonier Correctional Institution (SCI), Bishops Falls Correctional Centre (BFCC), West Coast Correctional Centre (WCCC), Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women (NLCCW), Labrador Correctional Centre (LCC), and lockup facilities in St. John�s and Corner Brook. The program will be implemented through a coordinated sequence of activities which will include educational and smoking cessation programs, and short-term provision of pharmacological aids. Assistance will be provided to both employees and inmates. "This is a positive step from an occupational health and safety perspective, and will provide a healthier working and living environment for inmates, visitors and employees," said Minister Marshall. "The tobacco-free initiative compliments government�s commitment to improving and maintaining health and safety practices at facilities across the province." As part of this initiative, tobacco will be designated as "contraband," and will be prohibited on institutional property. The designation to tobacco-free follows analysis of best practices from other Canadian correctional jurisdictions, and consultation with provincial correctional employees in this province. Newfoundland and Labrador becomes the sixth Canadian province to launch a tobacco-free program at adult correctional institutions. "Tobacco use has many negative long-term effects on the health and well-being of individuals, not only for those who use the substance, but also for those exposed to secondhand smoke," said Elizabeth Marshall, Minister of Health and Community Services. "Reducing exposure to the harmful chemicals found in tobacco and creating healthier, smoke-free spaces is important in increasing the proportion of non-smokers in this province." The program will be administered by the Division of Corrections and Community Services. The Department of Justice has also partnered with the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association and John Howard Society to assist with the administration of this program. "The Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association and Smokers� Helpline are very pleased to be partnering with the Department of Justice," said Niki George, Smokers� Helpline Coordinator, Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association. "We congratulate the Department of Justice for their thorough research and consultation process, and look forward to working together to ensure the success of this very worthwhile health initiative." Media contacts:
Carolyn Chaplin, Health & Community Services, Communications,
(709)729-1377 or (709) 2004 01 20 1:40 p.m. |
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