Prisoners try patches as smoking ban nears

Photo / File

Inmates struggling to give up their habit ahead of a full smoking ban in prisons are going through a rough patch.

To get their nicotine fix some have tried smoking nicotine patches provided by Corrections Department staff.

Smoking will be banned in the country's jails from tomorrow and inmates have not been able to buy tobacco, matches or lighters since June 1.

About 5700 inmates have taken up the "nicotine replacement therapy" offered, including nicotine patches and lozenges.

Assistant general manager of prison services Brendan Anstiss told the Dominion Post that there had been several instances of prisoners attempting to smoke the patches.

"That type of behaviour is expected. Prisoners have tried to smoke a variety of things, from tea leaves to grass, so I'm not surprised they'd try to get a hit from the patches. I'm pretty sure it doesn't work."

Apart from the patches, prisoners have access to self help smoking lituarture, can take part in more art and music classes, and have been offered carrot sticks.

- NZPA