Why are we going smoke-free?
The ACT Government has a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and to protect all staff, detainees and visitors from the health risks associated with exposure to second hand smoke.
We have obligations under section 19(3) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to protect our staff, detainees and visitors from exposure to second hand smoke.
Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of the preventable health burden in Australia and the leading cause of cancer.
We've listened to feedback from the detainees in the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) – there is strong evidence among detainees of a desire to quit smoking (60% of respondents from the 2016 AMC Health Survey had tried to quit while in detention, 57% indicated they need assistance to quit smoking, and 67% indicated they would like to quit smoking).
How are we doing this?
Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT), such as nicotine patches and lozenges will be available to both staff and detainees.
Detainees will have access to QUIT resources, Justice Health Services and the Winnunga Health Clinic to provide ongoing smoking cessation support.
Staff and detainee peer supports will also provide smoking cessation brief interventions, training for interested staff and detainees will be undertaken through the Cancer Council ACT.
When are we doing this?
ACT Corrective Services is committed to transitioning to a smoke-free environment in mid-2023.
Important information to consider
If you visit the AMC after the transition to a smoke-free correctional centre in mid-2023, cigarettes, lighters, and other tobacco related items will be prohibited, the same as how alcohol and other drugs are already prohibited.
If you attempt to bring these items into the AMC, you may face a criminal offence.
Smoking will also not be allowed on the grounds of the AMC, including the car park.
We acknowledge how difficult the transition to a smoke-free environment will be on some AMC staff and detainees who currently smoke. ACT Corrective Services is committed to bringing the AMC into line with all other ACT Government buildings and values the health and safety of its staff and detainees. We are working to build a planned and supported transition for staff and detainees. If you would like to seek further information you can email smokefreeamc@act.gov.au
Expected benefits
Justice and Community Safety (JACS) anticipate that a transition to a smoke-free AMC will have the following benefits:
- Improve health, wellbeing and safety of staff and detainees at the AMC by making AMC and the surrounding grounds a smoke-free environment
- Address secondary issues related to smoking and tobacco including the use of tobacco as currency and risk of fire damage.
Improve health and wellbeing outcomes for detainees pre- and post-release. - Decrease tobacco dependence of vulnerable groups including First Nations people.
- Reduction of property damage and false fire alarms caused by lighters and cigarettes.
