❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding the timeline for implementing a smoke-free prison policy across WA, referencing a pilot program and a study on e-cigarettes as a quit aid. The Minister responds that the timeline depends on the pilot program's outcome and that e-cigarettes are not permitted due to health, safety, and legal concerns.
AnsweredQoN 687Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PRISONS — SMOKE-FREE POLICY
687. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer the minister to the
Department of Justice media release dated 10 August 2022, in which it was
announced that we are one step closer to having a smoke-free prison policy
across Western Australia, with a pilot program to be launched at Bandyup Women's
Prison.
(1) Has the
McGowan government committed to a time line for the rollout of such a policy
across the whole prison system, as recommended by the Inspector of Custodial
Services in 2021?
(2) If yes to
(1), will the minister share that time line with the house; and, if no to (1),
why not, and when might we expect such a time line to be made public?
(3) Is the
minister aware of a study, published in March 2021 by academics at the
universities of Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh, which looked at the mostly
positive role that e-cigarettes played when employed during a similar trial in
Scotland; and, if not, might I offer him a copy of that paper?
(4) In either
event, will he consider the ready supply of e-cigarettes as a quit aid for
prisoners here in WA?
687. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer the minister to the
Department of Justice media release dated 10 August 2022, in which it was
announced that we are one step closer to having a smoke-free prison policy
across Western Australia, with a pilot program to be launched at Bandyup Women's
Prison.
(1) Has the
McGowan government committed to a time line for the rollout of such a policy
across the whole prison system, as recommended by the Inspector of Custodial
Services in 2021?
(2) If yes to
(1), will the minister share that time line with the house; and, if no to (1),
why not, and when might we expect such a time line to be made public?
(3) Is the
minister aware of a study, published in March 2021 by academics at the
universities of Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh, which looked at the mostly
positive role that e-cigarettes played when employed during a similar trial in
Scotland; and, if not, might I offer him a copy of that paper?
(4) In either
event, will he consider the ready supply of e-cigarettes as a quit aid for
prisoners here in WA?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Corrective Services.
(1)–(2) The time line for the rollout of the smoke-free
correctional facilities project within the prison system will be dependent on the pilot commencing in October 2022
at Bandyup Women's Prison. It is likely that a staged rollout across the prison estate will commence with a tobacco
reduction strategy based on learnings from the pilot.
(3) The
department is aware of the use of e-cigarettes as part of Scotland and England's
smoke-free journey. However, the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted in WA
prisons due to health, safety and security concerns and will not be considered for
introduction into WA prisons.
(4) In Western Australia,
the purchase of nicotine for e-cigarettes is not legal without a doctor's
prescription and will not be considered for introduction into WA prisons.
of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Corrective Services.
(1)–(2) The time line for the rollout of the smoke-free
correctional facilities project within the prison system will be dependent on the pilot commencing in October 2022
at Bandyup Women's Prison. It is likely that a staged rollout across the prison estate will commence with a tobacco
reduction strategy based on learnings from the pilot.
(3) The
department is aware of the use of e-cigarettes as part of Scotland and England's
smoke-free journey. However, the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted in WA
prisons due to health, safety and security concerns and will not be considered for
introduction into WA prisons.
(4) In Western Australia,
the purchase of nicotine for e-cigarettes is not legal without a doctor's
prescription and will not be considered for introduction into WA prisons.
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