Jump to full article: Kingston (Ont) Whig-Standard (ca), 2009-10-28
Author: PETER HENDRA
Intro: The union representing prison guards says it will keep a close eye on what develops in the wake of a Quebec court ruling that lifted the total ban on smoking in federal prisons.
Last week, the Federal Court lifted the 17-month-old ban outlawing smoking outside federal prison buildings after a group of 19 inmates imprisoned in Quebec challenged the ban.
The prisoners stated in their claim that they had experienced assorted physical and psychological problems -- including increases in stress, anxiety, aggressiveness and nervousness -- as a result of the butt ban.
Before the ban, three of every four prisoners were smokers, Correctional Service of Canada statistics show.
"Essentially, from what I've read of (the decision), it will bring us to a situation that prevailed before May 2008, when the total tobacco ban was implemented, where inmates were allowed to have tobacco on their person, although they were supposed to consume it outside," said Union of Canadian Correctional Officers spokesman Lyle Stewart.
"The reality is, they smoked it wherever they felt like it."
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