The impact of implementing smoking bans among incarcerated substance users: a qualitative study.
This article reports a study evaluating the effects of implementing smoking bans among drug-using prisoners in Taiwan. Seventy-seven new entrants were recruited in May 2008. Six focus groups were conducted in a prison-based treatment center, the only prison with a total smoking ban in Taiwan. All the subjects were male and their average age was 37 years. Three general reactions to the ban were identified across all focus groups: (a) unfair/hypocritical policy; (b) being forced to stop smoking; and (c) finding ways to smoke anyway. Future studies should compare the effects of total versus partial smoking bans among drug abusers in prison to better explore policy options.
Chang
Chih-Cheng
CC
Department of Psychiatry, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan, Taiwan.
Huang
Chih-Ling
CL
Chen
Chih-Yin
CY
D000328:Adult; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons / Q000592:standards; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D013624:Taiwan; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution