Quote:
Netopalis said:
Osborn: Not all habits or enjoyments should be allowed either - I certainly don't believe that shooting sports should be allowed in prisons, and to many it would fall under the same category. How about boxing? Should we build boxing rings in prisons? The list goes on...
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Well, I don't think it is equal to shooting sports or boxing by any means, but, smoking HAS been allowed for as long as there have been prisons and cigarettes. Why the new concerns with smoking, if not for the latest trend of health scares regarding "2nd hand smoke"?
I am not saying prisoners should not be punished, but I also think forcing people to quit smoking will only lead to more violence, more smuggling, and more problems in prisons.
I wouldn't be surprised if the reason they want to ban it is to pre-emptively avoid lawsuits by prisoners who were non-smokers claiming lung damage by fellow prisoners and guards who were smokers. I personally don't think any of this has any real validity.
If they are concerned with second hand smoke, there are ways around that that won't increase violence and the prisons black market.