Managing a tobacco control program in NSW correctional centres, 1999–2001

Abstract

Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of premature death and the number one preventable public health problem in Australia and in most developed countries. Unlike the trends in the general population, where a decreasing prevalence has been observed over the past 30 years, smoking prevalence among inmates of Australian correctional centres remains consistently high, with over two-thirds of the inmate population being regular smokers. This article describes a tobacco control program implemented in NSW correctional facilities from May 1999 to April 2001. The future directions of the program are also discussed.