USA: Pennsylvania state prison system to ban tobacco

Pennsylvania’s prison system is banning all tobacco products at all facilities. Corrections Secretary John Wetzel announced the ban Monday.

The policy goes into effect July 1 and applies to the following:

• Cigarettes
• Cigars
• Tobacco
• Tobacco substitutes
• Lighters
• Pipes
• Pipe cleaners
• Filters
• Rolling papers
• Roller aprons
• Rollers

Wetzel said that within designated areas, inmates and employees will be allowed to use nonrefillable e-cigarettes that have been approved by the prison system.

To help inmates quit, they will be given access to smoking cessation programs, educational materials and support. Inmates will also be able to purchase nicotine replacement therapy patches. Read full article + watch video