As of July 1, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) will make all state prisons tobacco-free. Butler County has long been ahead of the curve on this issue.

John Wetzel, the secretary for the state DOC, announced this week that when the new policy kicks in this summer, tobacco will no longer be permitted in any Pennsylvania state correctional facility. Items that will soon be considered contraband include cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, tobacco substitutes, lighters, pipes, pipe cleaners, filters, rolling papers, roller aprons and rollers.

However, inmates and employees will continue to be allowed to use disposable or nonrefillable e-cigarettes that have been approved by the DOC in designated areas.

Wetzel noted that the statewide policy has been inspired by successful prohibitions of tobacco at several state correctional institutions.

While we agree that the DOC’s plan has merit, we’re more pleased to note that the Butler County Prison beat Wetzel’s proposal to the punch by a long shot.

The prison has long enforced tobacco-free policies. Joe DeMore, the prison’s current warden, said the policy has been in place since he took the job four years ago, and he believes that it was enforced from the time the prison opened in its current building 10 years ago.

“Butler County is a smoke-free county — I like it,” DeMore said, adding that the policy applies to both prisoners and employees.

We like it too. According to studies, between 50 percent and 83 percent of incarcerated individuals smoke cigarettes. In comparison, only 15 percent of U.S. residents smoke. In other words, smoking is a major part of prison culture — and a significant, documented health problem. It has been found to cause cancer, respiratory diseases and heart problems and can exacerbate other ailments — for example, diabetes. It is good to hear that after the statewide tobacco ban at prisons goes into effect, inmates will be provided with smoking cessation programs and support services. Inmates will be able to buy nicotine replacement therapy patches through a prison medical department to help them transition.

We commend the Butler County Prison for leading the way on this issue. Making the state corrections department tobacco-free will lead to a healthier environment for everyone on both sides of the bars.