staff have been warned to be on alert

For normal individuals who smoke the ban on smoking in public places can be annoying but it doesn't prevent them from smoking completely. They can always walk outside or smoke in the comfort of their own homes. However a new smoking ban which is coming into effect in the Northwest Territories of Australia soon could be life changing for thousands of men and women because it classifies prisons as public places and therefore they have to remain smoke free even in the outside spaces.

This smoking ban which will begin next week is unlikely to go down easily with some of the hardened smokers and as a result staff have been warned to be on alert. Many of the inmates of the region's prisons will now have absolutely no choice in the matter but to quit. As far as we know this is the first time that a smoking ban has been forced upon individuals in any country.

The ban on smoking will also apply to the staff of the prison who work eight hour shifts. They are also said to be concerned that they will not be able to smoke when on duty but most of them are happy to use the opportunity to quit for good. The prison has decided to stock up on smoking replacement therapies which they hope will be able to calm down the worst hit prisoners.

In a sense the prison authorities in enforcing the ban are doing the prisoners a great big favour. Many people need a little bit of encouragement to quit and what better way than to be locked up in a place where it is just impossible to get cigarettes. It is hoped that after a couple of weeks the prisoners will have completely forgotten about their smoking habit and they have the added advantage of never being in a situation where the temptation to smoke is there. Whether they will remain smoke free when they leave prison however remains to be seen.