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Smoking prevalence in New South Wales correctional facilities, 2000
  1. NIYI AWOFESO
  1. Population Health Unit
  2. New South Wales Corrections Health Service
  3. PO Box 150, Matraville, NSW 2036, Australia; niyiawofeso@hotmail.com
  4. Berrima Correctional Centre
  5. Emu Plains Correctional Centre
  6. Health Promotion Unit
  7. Department of Corrective Services
  8. New South Wales, Australia
    1. ROSEMARY TESTAZ
    1. Population Health Unit
    2. New South Wales Corrections Health Service
    3. PO Box 150, Matraville, NSW 2036, Australia; niyiawofeso@hotmail.com
    4. Berrima Correctional Centre
    5. Emu Plains Correctional Centre
    6. Health Promotion Unit
    7. Department of Corrective Services
    8. New South Wales, Australia
      1. SHIRLEY WYPER
      1. Population Health Unit
      2. New South Wales Corrections Health Service
      3. PO Box 150, Matraville, NSW 2036, Australia; niyiawofeso@hotmail.com
      4. Berrima Correctional Centre
      5. Emu Plains Correctional Centre
      6. Health Promotion Unit
      7. Department of Corrective Services
      8. New South Wales, Australia
        1. SUZI MORRIS
        1. Population Health Unit
        2. New South Wales Corrections Health Service
        3. PO Box 150, Matraville, NSW 2036, Australia; niyiawofeso@hotmail.com
        4. Berrima Correctional Centre
        5. Emu Plains Correctional Centre
        6. Health Promotion Unit
        7. Department of Corrective Services
        8. New South Wales, Australia

          https://doi.org/10.1136/tc.10.1.84a

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            Editor,—Since 1974, periodic national smoking prevalence studies have been published for the general Australian population.1 However, similar studies on prison populations are non-existent. We report the results of a survey carried out during the year 2000 in 21 of 23 New South Wales (NSW) correctional facilities. These facilities contain about 93% of the state's total prison population.

            We assessed smoking prevalence indirectly by auditing the weekly shopping lists presented by inmates in each facility for at least two consecutive weeks June to November 2000. We calculated the average number of inmates presenting shopping lists as well as the average number of inmates buying tobacco. These shopping lists are usually for non-food items, as food is provided for all inmates. Inmates found to have purchased at least one packet of tobacco were recorded as regular smokers. This methodology …

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