Smoking will be banned inside most of the State's prisons today and limited to designated areas, prompting renewed calls for the State Government to crack down on a prisoner's right to light up in jail.
The move, which will make all cells and units smoke-free, finally brings the prison system into line with other workplaces but health groups argue the changes do not go far enough.
Australian Council on Smoking and Health president Mike Daube welcomed the partial ban but warned that prisoners were not getting the same protection as the rest of the community.
"There have been complete bans on smoking in prisons in 11 American states, including California and the entire US Federal penitentiary system, so we know this is working well in the US," he said. "If it's good enough for Arnold Schwarzenegger, it's good enough for us."
Independent MP Janet Woollard, who has led the push for tough new laws to ban smoking at beaches and in cars with children, said a parliamentary inquiry into smoking had recommended a total ban within prisons by the end of 2011.
"This is definitely a step forward because the health of prisoners is just as important as the health of people in the general community," she said. "I am sure that with these measures, it will give prison staff the confidence to make prisons completely smoke-free, as they are already alcohol-free, within the next year or two."
Australian Medical Association WA president Gary Geelhoed has previously called for public debate on a complete smoking ban in prisons, recognising it was a difficult issue to balance.
More than 85 per cent of prisoners smoke, compared to a rate of about 15 per cent in the general community, making the department reluctant to push ahead with a complete ban because of unprecedented growth in the prison population.
Corrective Services Commissioner Ian Johnson said seven prisons were on track to impose today's ban, while the six remaining were "well advanced". He ruled out a complete ban on smoking, saying it exceeded "community standards".
"A prison is a unique environment and presents many challenges and risks not found in a community setting," he said. "There can not be a 'one size fits all' approach to this issue."
Corrective Services Minister Christian Porter would not speculate on any future decisions regarding smoking in prisons, except to say that the health and safety of prisoners and staff remained a "priority".
A total ban on smoking was imposed at Parliament House earlier this month, prohibiting lighting up within 10 metres of any entrance to the building. Smoking had previously been confined to one corner of the parliamentary courtyard.
PERTH YASMINE PHILLIPS
