Smoking, non-smoking prisoners to be placed in separate cells

Smoker and non-smoker prisoners will be placed in separate cells in order to properly protect the rights of non-smoking inmates, Georgia’s Ministry of Corrections reported today.

The change has already come into play.

The Ministry explained the goal of the step was to "avoid the negative influence of tobacco on other prisoners”.

The change is a part of the amendments approved by Georgia’s legislative body last month.  

The Parliament of Georgia approved a number of proposed restrictions on smoking and the placement of tobacco commercials with 85 votes for and one against in the 150-member legislative body in early May.

• The restrictions - which include a ban on smoking in all areas except private homes, psychiatric clinics, penitentiary facilities and casinos - will come into full play starting from May 1, 2018.
• Smoking will also be allowed in cigar bars. However, no food must be sold there, and a special license will be mandatory to open such a bar. 
• No commercials will be aired that will encourage people to smoke, and it will be necessary for all tobacco importers to put a special inscription about the harmful effects of cigarettes on boxes. 
• The regulations also include plain packaging for cigarettes, referring to packaging that requires the removal of all branding, such as colours, imagery, corporate logos and trademarks; only the country where the product is made will be written on the box.