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Indoor Air Pollution Levels Were Halved as a Result of a National Tobacco Ban in a New Zealand Prison
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 05/18/2012
Exclusive author commentary
Thornley S et al. – The study showed a rapid and substantial improvement in indoor air quality after tobacco was banned at a prison. The authors conclude that prisoners have reduced their smoking in line with the ban, and that a significant health hazard has been reduced for staff and prisoners alike.
Simon Thornley (05/20/2012) comments:
Smoking, the possession of tobacco and cigarette lighters were banned from New Zealand prisons and their grounds on the 1st of July 2011. To evaluate the effect of this policy on indoor air pollution, we measured fine particle concentration in one staff room of a maximum security prison (PM 2.5) before and after the policy was enacted. Levels were halved over the three months of measurement. We concluded that, for this indicator, the policy has been a success, and it challenges other countries to enact similar restrictions.