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<p> </p><p> </p><p>The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) support the desirability
of attaining a smoke free prison estate in the future and continue to work towards
this objective. However, the timing of that implementation will take account of the
operational realities of running safe, decent and secure prisons and in particular
the impact any smoking ban may have on the general safety of staff and prisoners.
Therefore the decision on timing to move to smoke free prisons will reflect an operational
assessment of risk, which will include an assessment of potentially adverse impact
on prisoner behaviour and how this risk can be minimised and effectively managed.
This assessment is ongoing and the risks are being carefully considered to ensure
effective plans and support are in place before introducing smoke free prisons.</p><p>
</p><p>The work by NOMS on moving to a smoke free prison estate will continue to be
informed by the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies in Nottingham University; by
further assessments of air quality in prisons; and by the work with Public Health
England and expertise from the New Zealand prison service which has introduced smoke
free prisons.</p>
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