Illinois Could be Latest State to Ban Prison Smoking

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — New legislation could force prisons throughout the state of Illinois to become smoke-free facilities as a result of a pending ban on smoking in all state-owned and state-leased facilities.

Illinois lawmakers are negotiating with the state’s employee union to cease smoking in state office buildings. If a deal is reached, there may be an amendment made to the contract for the American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees, banning smoking in all state facilities. The deal could extend to prisons, which would force Illinois inmates and correctional officers to drop their habit.

In recent months several state prison have implemented smoking bans, including the California state prison system and facilities in Kentucky.