Make New Zealand Prisons Non-Smoking, Says Mayor

Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff has called for New Zealand prisons to be non-smoking, and says Northland's Ngawha Prison should be first.

One of the benefits, he says, is a likely drop in the Northland crime rate.

Mr Semenoff said he had followed submissions to the Maori Affairs select committee's inquiry into tobacco, and noted many submitters described tobacco as being a particular problem for Maori.

Submitters said tobacco was robbing marae of their kaumatua, and described tobacco companies as "an evil presence". Others said tobacco was a drug which should be classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act, like methamphetamine.

Mr Semenoff said statistics showed tobacco use by Maori was among the highest in the world, and any effort to wean Maori off tobacco was to be encouraged.

"A good place to start is our prisons. We can have a win-win if we ban smoking in prisons. We know Maori are over-represented in the prison population, so here is a chance to make a difference to their health.

"Let's follow the example of the Isle of Man, which has a non-smoking prison giving inmates counselling and free nicotine patches to help them kick the habit.

"The other win the Isle of Man has found is their crime rate is falling because crims are reforming and staying out of jail so they don't have to give up smoking," Mr Semenoff said.

He said Northland's Ngawha Prison, as an institution with a mainly Maori muster, should be the first to be declared non-smoking, which could cut Northland's crime rate.

"Let's do something positive for Northland and for Maori and ban smoking in prison. Those who give up or who stay out of prison will be positive role models for their partners and families.

"I call on Maoridom's leaders in Northland to get right behind a smoking ban at New Zealand prisons, and behind making Ngawha first on the list," Mr Semenoff said.

The ban should extend to prison staff, who should have to leave the property to smoke.

He said there were those who questioned why prisoners were allowed to smoke. Prisoners were not allowed access to alcohol or other drugs, and tobacco should be similarly banned as part of their sentence.

"I don't suggest we force prisoners to go cold turkey when we lock them up. Give them counselling, give them the props of patches, but most of all let's give them the chance to give up.

"If they don't think they can hack it, then they should stay out of jail," Mr Semenoff said.

For further information: Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff, phone 09 430 4200