Ottawa, May 5, 2008 – The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) proceeded today with the implementation of a total smoking ban at its correctional facilities. As a result of this ban, smoking will not be permitted inside federal correctional facilities, including private family visiting units or outdoors, within the perimeter of CSC correctional facilities.
"When CSC implemented an indoor ban on January 31, 2006 , it committed to assessing the effectiveness of the policy after one year. After thorough consultation and consideration of every aspect, a decision was made to impose a total smoking ban," said CSC Commissioner, Keith Coulter. "CSC is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and inmates. Eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke in our institutions is an important step forward to achieve this objective."
To ease the transition to a total ban, CSC has provided staff and offenders with access to educational and awareness material. Staff has access to cessation aids through the Public Service Health Care Plan and cessation aids have been provided to offenders who wish to quit smoking in advance of the ban being implemented.
CSC has emergency plans in place to address any disruption that may arise as a result of this new policy. For example, Institutional Emergency Response Teams are in place and have a variety of tools and options for managing crisis situations.
CSC is taking a phased approach to implementation. The total ban will first take effect in all maximum-security institutions, the Special Handling Unit and multi-level institutions for men, including the Regional Treatment Centres ( Ontario , Pacific) and the Regional Psychiatric Centre (Prairies). The total ban will take effect in all medium-security institutions and in Treatment Centres (Atlantic, Quebec) located on medium-security institution property on May 20, 2008, and in all minimum-security facilities, Community Correctional Centres and women's institutions on June 2, 2008.
For further information contact:
Guy Campeau (613) 947-3372
Media Relations, National Headquarters ( Ottawa )
Correctional Service of Canada
