Tobacco.org

Should smoking ban be extended?  

IT’S been nearly four years since the smoking ban was first introduced in the Isle of Man.

The legislation was welcomed by many but greeted with dismay from the licensed trade and many of the island’s 18,000 smokers.

Four years on, it has become, for the most part, an accepted part of life in the Isle of Man.

Now public health officials are looking to extend the ban – and are preparing to go to public consultation on legislation to ban smoking in cars when young children are present.

The Isle of Man could have been a pioneer, with proposals to ban smoking in public places first mooted in 1986.

But it was not until March 30, 2008, that the island’s public buildings, workplaces and work vehicles went smoke-free – by which time similar bans were already in place across the UK and in Ireland. . . .

Ivan Bratty, food safety manager in the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, is responsible for enforcing the ban.

He said: ‘As far as premises are concerned, we haven’t had any problems at all. We have not had any complaints for some time.’

What remains a problem, however, is smoking in work vehicles and Mr Bratty is urging people to inform on those who breach the ban.

Mr Bratty said written warnings had been sent to a couple of companies.

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Isle of Man welcomes the New Year with a quit smoking incentive 

Public health authorities in the Isle of Man have introduced a unique stop smoking programme that allows people who are willing to kick the habit to receive a full hour of professional medical advice live, reports BBC News.

From January 3, 2012, anyone who wants to stop smoking can visit the weekly Quit4You clinic at the Promenade Methodist Church, Douglas between 12.30 GMT and 13.30 GMT, the British news portal informs, adding that the service will be available till the month of March.

The authorities have arranged the smoking cessation sessions during lunchtime so more people can attend them at their convenience, BBC notes. The news portal also learns that specialist doctors will offer private consultation to individuals.

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• Prison has "lost control" of smoking ban according to chief prison inspector 

THE Isle of Man Prison has lost control of the no-smoking ban.

That's according to the chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick who inspected the prison in March.

Along with a team from the HM Inspectorate of Prisons he visited the prison in Jurby and found that prisoners were flouting the smoking ban - often in full view of prison staff.

The Isle of Man Prison is Europe's only completely non-smoking prison. The ban was introduced in 2008 following the prison's move from Douglas to the north of the Island.

The report, which has been published today, found that the total ban had resulted in a "large number of negative outcomes".

Nick explained: "Many prisoners appeared to be intensively and creatively engaged in circumventing the smoking ban.

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• Positive Health Benefits of the Isle of Man Smoking Ban 

The Department of Health’s Public Health Directorate have recently reviewed Noble’s Hospital admission data to determine whether there has been an adjustment for heart attack admissions after legislation which placed a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces was introduced in the Isle of Man in 2008.

Ms Howda Jwad, a mathematics student, analysed the admission records for heart attacks during the two years prior to the implementation of the smoke free legislation and for the two years following the ban (April 2006 to March 2010). The statistical analysis of the data shows that there was a significant reduction in the rate of admissions to Noble’s Hospital for heart attacks amongst males aged over 54.

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Prison smoking ban debated after success in Isle of Man 

The Corrections Association is open to the idea of a smoking ban in prisons but warns the move would come with risks.

The idea is being discussed following reports a tobacco ban at a new prison in the Isle of Man has led to a huge fall in crime rates.

Corrections Association President Beven Hanlon says a similar ban could work here.

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No smoking prison sparks drop in crime  

A noticeable drop in recorded crimes on the Isle of Man is being attributed to the opening of Europe's only completely no smoking prison.

The island which is one of the safest places to live in the British Isles, has seen a massive reduction in total crimes since the new £42m jail opened in August 2008.

In the nine month period from April 2008 to December 15 2008 the total recorded crimes stood at 2,508.

But in the same period this year crimes dropped off 14 per cent, with a total of 2,157 crimes committed.

At present there are just under 100 prisoners at the medium security jail, which replaced the old Victoria Road jail on the island last year.

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Drop in crime on Isle of Man attributed to Europe's only non-smoking prison  

A brand new prison is taking credit for the plummeting crime rate in the Isle of Man.

But it is not the fear of being locked up that is making criminals think twice before stealing, fighting or trading in drugs.

The prospect of being forced to give up smoking is apparently far more frightening.

A huge drop in crime on the Isle of Man has been put down to criminals 'living in fear' of being sent to Europe's only non-smoking prison (file picture)

The £42million jail, which opened last year, is Europe's only non-smoking prison.

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Isle of Man | Ferry firm introduces smoking ban 

Smokers can no longer light up on fast craft trips between the Isle of Man and Liverpool, a ferry boss has revealed.

The Steam Packet Company is banning smoking on its Snaefell craft when it resumes service on 27 March.

Chief Executive Mark Woodward said it was important for the comfort of non-smokers, given the relatively limited outside deck area.

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• Brewery to allow black and blue e-cigarettes  

SMOKERS will be allowed to use a new black and blue electronic cigarette on Heron and Brearley premises.

The e-cigarette, a white battery-operated tobacco-free cigarette which produces steam vapour instead of smoke and glows red at the tip when inhaled, has been promoted as a legal way to side-step the new smoking ban.

But earlier this month the largest brewery in the Island decided to ban these look-a-like cigarettes from their premises for fear they would spark conflict and confusion.

As a result of the decision, Jason Cropper, a director of The Electronic Cigarette Company UK Ltd, said: 'We have now looked at manufacturing different colours and already have a pink version available.

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Isle of Man | Jail hunger strike protest ends 

A Manx prisoner who went on hunger strike in protest over a smoking ban at the island's jail has ended his action.

The inmate was one of a number of prisoners who took part in the dispute by refusing prison meals.

He was the final prisoner to end the protest, which lasted for 10 days.

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Today's Vote / Should smoking be allowed in prison? 

Today's Vote

Should smoking be allowed in prison?

69% Yes, in all areas

17% No, it poses a threat to the health of staff

14% Only in designated areas

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Hunger strike at prison over ban on tobacco 

Prisoners have launched a protest at the first jail in the British Isles to go smoke-free. A workplace smoking ban came into effect last month on the Isle of Man, and covers cells in the island's tiny 90-man prison.

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Five inmates continue Isle of Man hunger strike  

FIVE prisoners refused to eat their evening meal yesterday (Thursday) in protest against the smoking ban.

Friends and relatives of inmates claimed up to 16 of 32 prisoners on A wing of the Victoria Road jail were on hunger strike.

Prison officials initially said 'a very small number' of inmates were refusing to eat.

In a statement issued this morning, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that nine prisoners refused their lunchtime meals yesterday and five refused their evening meal.

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Hunger strike continues 

The Department of Home Affairs says a total of nine prisoners at Victoria Road jail refused their meals yesterday lunchtime.

Five prisoners then refused their evening meal.

The prisoners are protesting at the smoking ban which came into force at the prison in March.

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Prisoners on hunger strike 

Some inmates of Isle of Man Prison have gone on hunger strike because they can't smoke.

The Department of Home Affairs says 'a very small number' of prisoners refused to eat their meals yesterday afternoon and this morning.

While no official protest has been lodged with prison staff, the department says it's believed their actions are connected to the no-smoking policy at the Island's jail, which was introduced in March.

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