The following statement was issued today by Tom Marshall, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to announce today that Newfoundland and Labrador has become the sixth Canadian province to introduce tobacco-free environments at adult correctional facilities. The eight provincial correctional facilities are fully compliant and have been tobacco-free as of May 3.

The designation to tobacco-free follows an extensive four-month sequence of activities, where inmates and employees participated in educational and smoking cessation programs, and were provided with a short-term provision of pharmacological aids.

The adult custody facilities include Her Majesty�s Penitentiary, Salmonier Correctional Institution, Bishop�s Falls Correctional Centre, West Coast Correctional Centre, Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women, Labrador Correctional Centre, and lock up facilities in St. John�s and Corner Brook.

I am pleased to report that the transition has been smooth and without major incident. This initiative will provide a healthier living and working environment for inmates, employees and visitors to the facilities.

The success of this program is due in large part to employees in the Division of Corrections and Community Services, Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association, and the John Howard Society who assisted with the administration of this program. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the organizers and facilitators of this initiative. Much time and effort has helped make this a smooth and positive transition.

2004 05 19                                         2:40 p.m.