Prisons in the U.K. are planning to ban cigarette smoking by 2015, potentially taking away a powerful currency amongst inmates.
BBC reports an estimated 80 percent of prisoners are "thought to be smokers." Inmates will be offered nicotine patches as a "substitute."
"We are considering banning smoking across the prison estate and as part of this are looking at possible sites as early adopters," A Prison Service spokesman told BBC.
Inmates are currently allowed to smoke in their cells, but the ban will prohibit smoking in all areas, including exercise yards outside.
"You will no doubt be aware that the decision has been made that the time is right for the prison estate to adopt a tobacco and smoke-free policy to provide a smoke-free workplace/environment for our staff and prisoners," the Prison Service spokesman added.
Guernsey Prison governor Dave Matthews told the BBC a smoking ban at Les Nicolles jail has been effective:
"We have removed tobacco but also provided prisoners with some assistance to try and give up their nicotine habit through the form of patches and the use of Quitline.
"For those who have decided not to (quit smoking...we have allowed them to purchase their own e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine in a much safer way than normal tobacco does."
However, some are concerned about the potential "disturbances" that may come as a result of the smoking ban.
"A smoker [who goes] without a cigarette, is a fearsome sight to behold. People smoke in prison for two main reasons: It's incredibly boring and incredibly stressful," Ben Gunn, ex-prisoner and prison campaigner, told BBC. "If you take away that psychological crutch, it could have significant consequences."
"Drugs will become the default currency," Gunn added. "So you'll have thousands of people who aren't using drugs all of a sudden interested in the drug trade."
