What prisons still allow smoking?

Asked by: Alexandria Schinner  |  Last update: February 2, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (58 votes)

While most U.S. prisons are moving towards being smoke-free, some states still permit smoking in designated outdoor areas like prison yards, including California, New York, and Vermont, while others, like Mississippi, have recently reintroduced legal smoking in specific zones to combat contraband, allowing for sales and use in designated spots to control the underground market. Policies vary significantly, with many state systems allowing smoking in yards or specific areas, contrasting with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and some states that have stricter bans, though black markets persist.

Do any prisons still allow smoking?

On the other hand, correctional facilities in California, Kansas, Vermont, and Utah are smoke-free. In California and Vermont, however, smoking is allowed in prison yards. In many States, such as Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and Michigan, smoking policies are left to the discretion of institution supervisors.

Can you smoke in Ohio prisons?

It is the policy of the ODRC to promote and maintain a tobacco-free environment on the grounds of any correctional facility and within all facilities and offices of the Department consistent with Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 3794. A.

Can you smoke in Indiana prisons?

Indiana enacted a prison smoking ban in 1997.

Can you smoke in Texas prisons?

Location: Texas. On November 18, 1994, Texas prison officials voted to ban all tobacco use throughout the states criminal justice system.

Are There Designated Smoking Areas In Some Prisons? - Jail & Prison Insider

20 related questions found

How much is $20 worth in jail?

With $20 per month, the prisoner could at least purchase soap, quality toothpaste (and a quality toothbrush), and batteries for their radio. Even a single check for $15 could allow a prisoner to purchase a few comforts which would traditionally be outside of their reach.

Can you smoke in Iowa prisons?

Location: Iowa. The court of appeals for the Eighth circuit held that Iowa prisoners have no constitutional right to smoke. No court has held otherwise.

What States are smoke free?

The states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

Are death row inmates allowed to smoke?

Only unlighted tobacco product use shall be permitted in death row housing.

Can you smoke in Arizona prisons?

§ 36-601.01 if there is reason to believe a violation has occurred. 1.1. 1 Smoking is prohibited inside all enclosed buildings, all secure perimeters of prison units, in state operated vehicles, and within 20 feet of any building entrance. 1.1.

Can you smoke in jail in New York?

A. The City of New York prohibits the use of tobacco-related products and electronic cigarettes within any Department facility, office, or vehicle. B. This prohibition applies to all persons, including staff, inmates, and visitors.

Can you still smoke in UK prisons?

Tobacco may be purchased and smoked in open areas as a privilege in the open prison estate by prisoners, but only at designated times and in designated areas. No smoking will be allowed in any buildings and separate areas will be designated for vaping.

What do inmates smoke in jail?

What do they smoke in prisons? Inmates may smoke illicit substances like cannabis or synthetics, or create makeshift cigarettes using contraband tobacco or substances smuggled into the facility.

When did they take cigarettes out of jail?

Proponents of the ban point out that six of California's 32 state prisons went tobacco free in 2002; smoking has been banned in all 11 of its reception centers, where inmates are housed before being assigned to a prison, since 1993.

Do death row inmates have to wear diapers?

Yes, some death row inmates are given diapers, often called "execution diapers," to manage involuntary bodily functions like urination and defecation that can occur during lethal injection or other execution methods, preventing messes and maintaining a degree of control over the process for officials. 

Can death row inmates have alcohol for their last meal?

In the United States, most states give the meal a day or two before the actual execution and now use the euphemism "special meal". Alcohol and tobacco are usually, but not always, denied.

How do inmates light their cigarettes?

Prisons that don't allow smoking also don't sell lighters or matches. As such, inmates need to secure their own fire sources. A typical fire source consists of two AA batteries and a strip of foil from a Ramen Noodle Soup packet.

Who smoked 800 cigarettes at once?

In 1996, Romanian daredevil Stefan Sigmond claimed to smoke 800 cigarettes in under six minutes using a special device but was rejected by Guinness World Records for promoting dangerous stunts, although he did break a previous record of 750. While not a world record holder, contemporary figures like Post Malone have reported smoking up to 80 cigarettes daily, and King Zog I was known for smoking 200-225 a day, but no one has officially achieved 800 as a recognized feat, with Guinness avoiding such "gluttony" records. 

What country just banned cigarettes?

Maldives Becomes First Nation to Ban Smoking for an Entire Generation. Anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, is permanently banned from buying, using or being sold cigarettes or any other tobacco products in the country, the Maldives Health Ministry announced.

Do any US airports still have smoking rooms?

Yes, a few U.S. airports still offer smoking lounges or designated indoor/covered areas post-security, notably Las Vegas (LAS), which has gaming lounges; Miami (MIA), with a TGI Friday's open-air atrium; and Nashville (BNA), featuring the Travelers Post. Other airports, like Tampa (TPA), offer covered outdoor smoking patios, while most major airports have smoke-free policies, often restricting smoking to landside (pre-security) areas.
 

What are cigarettes called in jail?

BATS: Cigarettes. BACK DOOR PAROLE: Dying while in prison. BB FILLER: Body Bag Filler; often used to describe a prisoner who is very sick.

What States still allow smoking in hotels?

While most states allow hotels to offer some smoking rooms, laws vary, with some states like California and Illinois now requiring 100% smoke-free hotels, while others have local bans or exemptions for casinos, leading many properties to provide designated smoking rooms or floors, but finding them requires checking specific hotel policies in states without statewide bans. 

Why can't prisoners smoke anymore?

Reducing healthcare costs was the most common reason cited for implementing a smoke-free policy in prisons and jails, particularly among those with a complete indoor/outdoor smoke-free policy.

What happens to your bank account when you go to jail?

This depends on the charges on which you've been convicted. For most crimes, your money will remain in your account. However, for some crimes, your accounts may be frozen. Even if you remain in control of your funds, some banks may freeze your account, as a safety feature, if it isn't used for several months.