Corrections Dept bans sales of cigarettes, tobacco products for inmates

[rooster59]

Corrections Dept bans sales of cigarettes, tobacco products for inmates

supawadee wangsri

 

 

BAGNKOK, 16 November 2018 (NNT) - Corrections Department Director General Narat Sawettanan confirmed that his agency currently bans the sales of cigarettes and tobacco at all prisons across the country to reduce the number of inmates falling sick or dying from respiratory diseases. 

He said that the regulation banning the sales of cigarettes and tobacco was required because prisons were regarded as state facilities and hence came within the target of the smoking ban. Once sent to jail, an inmate can use this as an opportunity to quit smoking and do other useful activities such as disciplinary training, vocational skill training or practicing meditation, he said. 

The plan follows the successful pilot project that banned the sale of such products at 13 prisons: Amnat Charoen, Chon Buri, Chanthaburi, Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani Provincial Special Offenders Institution, Thonburi Women’s Correctional Institution, Sikhiu, Pathum Thani Correctional Institution for Young Offenders, Women’s Correctional Institution for Drug Addicted Prisoners, Songkhla Female Prison, Phitsanulok Female Prison, Chiang Rai and Maha Sarakham. 

Narat said the ban had led to fewer inmates suffering from respiratory diseases and the eradication of a factor that was a threat to inmates already suffering from chronic illness such as high-blood pressure, and stroke, which could be worsened by being in a smoke-filled environment. 

Prisons nationwide were said to have a higher ratio of smokers compared to other sites and secondhand smoke also posed harm to the health of non-smoking inmates and wardens. He said prisons had since 2008 arranged cells as no-smoking zones and set up smoking areas outside the building.

 

 

-- nnt 2018-11-18

[darksidedog]

That was about the only privilege they had. I can see there will be much unhappiness about this decision, and it would not surprise me in the slightest if it kicks off in more than a few prisons.

 

[ThreeEyedRaven]

12 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

currently bans the sales of cigarettes and tobacco at all prisons across the country to reduce the number of inmates falling sick or dying from respiratory diseases. 

Perhaps they would be better served preventing the spread of numerous skin infections and other pestilence caused by the massive overcrowding. Thai jails are currently about three times their designed capacity, with people crammed together like sardines.

15 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

He said prisons had since 2008 arranged cells as no-smoking zones

And that is a complete pack of lies.

I do not see this going down well at all.

[worgeordie]

31 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

to reduce the number of inmates falling sick or dying from respiratory diseases. 

I would think cigarettes are only a small problem, compared to other diseases

inmates can fall ill with in prison,others are TB,Aids,Hepatitis,and a

myriad of other diseases caused by overcrowding,poor conditions,  

and substandard food,is anything been done to improve those 

conditions,i would suspect some of these prisons are going to

kick off if they cannot get their tobacco.

regards worgeordie

[ezzra]

Not such a good idea to ban lonely and destitute people from one of the very few enjoyment they have left to were off boredom, anger and desperation, these people of all others should be allowed to smoke albeit perhaps not as much as before...

[bluesofa]

43 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

an inmate can use this as an opportunity to quit smoking and do other useful activities such as disciplinary training, vocational skill training or practicing meditation, he said.

Some sort of paranormal mediation perhaps?

It will be the only way left to get high. It might attract the floating voters too.

[holy cow cm]

Ridiculous and against basic human rights 

[Maejo Man]

I just hope the authorities are prepared to handle the riots that will be forthcoming!

[Just Weird]

3 hours ago, darksidedog said:

That was about the only privilege they had. I can see there will be much unhappiness about this decision, and it would not surprise me in the slightest if it kicks off in more than a few prisons.

 

It hasn't kicked off in the 13 prisons involved in the successful pilot project, why should it kick off in others now?

[Just Weird]

3 hours ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

He said prisons had since 2008 arranged cells as no-smoking zones

 

3 hours ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

And that is a complete pack of lies.

I do not see this going down well at all.

That is not a complete pack of lies.

[Just Weird]

 

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Not such a good idea to ban lonely and destitute people from one of the very few enjoyment they have left to were off boredom, anger and desperation, these people of all others should be allowed to smoke albeit perhaps not as much as before...

Destitute?...yet they can afford to buy cigarettes?

[Just Weird]

17 minutes ago, Maejo Man said:

I just hope the authorities are prepared to handle the riots that will be forthcoming!

Were there riots in the prisons that already have this policy?  Don't think so.

[Just Weird]

2 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

Ridiculous and against basic human rights 

My personal experience of a Thai prison tells me that it is not that important as the majority of prisoners, just like the majority of normal citizens not in prison, do not smoke.

[ThreeEyedRaven]

8 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

It hasn't kicked off in the 13 prisons involved in the successful pilot project, why should it kick off in others now?

I don't suppose it possible that they may have transferred non smoking prisoners there in the first place, or those who had expressed a desire to quit. You can stack any deck in your favour if you really want to. The majority of smoking prisoners are going to be horrified at this.

 

4 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

 

That is not a complete pack of lies.

Not sure where you get your information, but it IS a pack of lies. Whilst I accept that it has been becoming more common in the last 18 months, before this period, smoking was fully accepted in the sleeping areas of all those not on punishment. Individual prisons may have had a no smoking room for those who wished it, but across the board, I can personally attest through a brief visit not that far in the past, that Yes, you could smoke in the rooms and most did, so the supposed ban since 2008 is, as I previously stated, a complete pack of lies.

[fakename]

Sounds like just asking for trouble, forcing inmates to quit smoking. Going to be a lot of nervous people, and a lot of un needed stress.

[Tweedle dee]

Moral of the story ? Dont <deleted> with the law .

[Guitar God]

Billions of people (even those in prison) are doing just fine without nicotine, so will the people in Thai prison once they get over their addiction. To call it a pleasure is ludicrous when all they get out of it is maintaining their addiction. The pleasure is just temporary relief from withdrawal symptoms at the cost of their health and that of others. 

[Blue bruce]

There in prison they have no rights

[Krataiboy]

I feel for the smokers facing enforced "cold turkey" to kick their damaging habit. But in the long run it will good for them - not to mention their non-smoking colleagues whose health is being impaired by having to inhale their smoke.

 

The process doesn't take long, as I know from personal experience, and the health and other benefits are well worth the temporary discomfort.

[Just Weird]

32 minutes ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

43 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

It hasn't kicked off in the 13 prisons involved in the successful pilot project, why should it kick off in others now?

 

 

33 minutes ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

I don't suppose it possible that they may have transferred non smoking prisoners there in the first place, or those who had expressed a desire to quit. You can stack any deck in your favour if you really want to. The majority of smoking prisoners are going to be horrified at this.

 

Not sure where you get your information, but it IS a pack of lies. Whilst I accept that it has been becoming more common in the last 18 months, before this period, smoking was fully accepted in the sleeping areas of all those not on punishment. Individual prisons may have had a no smoking room for those who wished it, but across the board, I can personally attest through a brief visit not that far in the past, that Yes, you could smoke in the rooms and most did, so the supposed ban since 2008 is, as I previously stated, a complete pack of lies.

"I don't suppose it possible that they may have transferred non smoking prisoners there in the first place, or those who had expressed a desire to quit. You can stack any deck in your favour if you really want to. The majority of smoking prisoners are going to be horrified at this".

 

Transferring prisoners to other pilot project prisons on the basis of being non-smokers?   That's highly likely isn't it, particularly as the plan was being introduced to all prisons!    I think you may be stacking your own deck a little there.

 

"The majority of smoking prisoners are going to be horrified at this".

Thankfully, the majority of prisoners do not smoke, so it shouldn't be the big issue that so many posters here seem to hope it will be!

 

"...before this period, smoking was fully accepted in the sleeping areas of all those not on punishment".

I get my information from personal experience of being a prisoner and that was certainly not the case in Klong Prem.  Smoking in any cells, or sleeping quarters as you describe them, would incur very severe punishment.

[Just Weird]

38 minutes ago, Blue bruce said:

There in prison they have no rights

Some of those in prison have not yet been found guilty of anything!

[giddyup]

Tobacco will just join the list of the many other illegal drugs that are bought and sold in prison.

[from the home of CC]

17 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Tobacco will just join the list of the many other illegal drugs that are bought and sold in prison.

 

I agree, as it happened in western prisons. Tobacco just becomes another form of currency, with the prison staff becoming the bankers,

[Ulic]

Just trying to make sure that those on long stays don't miss out even a little on serving as much of their sentence as possible. Keep the inmates as healthy as possible (at no cost to the government) so they can serve as much time as possible. I don't smoke but I know it is extremely addictive and I don't think you will improve the mood of the prison population. Expect riots.

[Longcut]

Does that mean illegal drugs are also forbidden,?

[Cryingdick]

16 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

Ridiculous and against basic human rights 

 

Not sure how it works in Thailand but you lose your human rights when you are convicted and imprisoned in my country. Felons can't vote or own a gun and things like that.

 

I am not for the ban on cigs in prison but citing it as a human rights violation is laughable.

[holy cow cm]

5 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Not sure how it works in Thailand but you lose your human rights when you are convicted and imprisoned in my country. Felons can't vote or own a gun and things like that.

 

I am not for the ban on cigs in prison but citing it as a human rights violation is laughable.

Human rights is correct. 

[Stargeezr]

I think that it will be the Farang prisoners that will be most affected, so just do not

go to jail. Behave and nothing to worry about.   Geezer

[Cryingdick]

19 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Human rights is correct. 

 

It is your contention that being able to smoke cigarettes is a human right? 

 

[Prairieboy]

It will certainly increase the workload of the smugglers!