SMOKING IN PRISONS

That this House is concerned by the findings of Professor John Britton in his independent medical report regarding the harmful effect of second hand smoke within prisons; notes that this report was commissioned by National Offender Management Service in 2014, published in March 2015 but was withheld until October 2016; is further concerned by the response to question 1, (1.5) in which it is concluded that exposure to the smallest amount of second-hand smoke carries a reasonable probability of injury; further notes the World Health Organisation report of 2010, cited in Professor Britton's report, which stressed that there is no evidence for a safe exposure level of second hand smoke; notes the calls of the Prison Officer Association for the Government urgently to introduce smoke-free prisons across England and Wales to ensure the health and wellbeing of staff and inmates is maintained; and therefore calls on the Government to accept the findings of John Britton's report and to work with staff and inmates to ensure a safe and quick transition to a smoke free estate.