Implementing Smoking Cessation Programmes in Prison Settings

Abstract

In spite of abundant evidence as to the adverse health problems of tobacco use over the past half century, progress towards tobacco control in prisons have been minimal. Lack of political will, boredom, stress, imprisonment-related deprivation, sub-optimal demographic characteristics of prisoners, and the unavailability of formal funding mechanisms for smoking cessation support - including nicotine replacement therapy - are common reasons for this minimal progress. The author suggests that another important obstacle is a limited adoption of smoking cessation interventions that are specifically tailored for use in prison cohorts. Since 2000, the author developed and implemented smoking cessation programmes, using a Social Marketing framework, in eight Australian prisons as part of a tobacco control project. Based on his experience, the author discusses issues to consider in implementing such programmes in other prisons. Prison-based smoking cessation programmes remain a neglected but important health intervention. Adaptation of Social Marketing techniques may facilitate the feasibility and effectiveness of such programmes.

• Smoking Cessation
• Prisons
• Social Marketing