TOBACCO/SMOKING BANS IN JAILS USED AS COERCION
In a recent [tobacco] smoking-cessation drug commercial, a young woman describes her desire to quit tobacco after "walking through a snow storm for a cigarette." Imagine what someone who has been smoking for decades would go through immediately after the stress of being arrested, incarcerated and facing jail or prison time for that same cigarette.
There are many good reasons to stop smoking, but being put in jail is not one of them. Arrests not only affect the jailed person's freedoms, it places their reputation, their livelihood, homes and family in jepoardy. Costs for bond or bail, attorney fees - as well as fear of the unknown - all add to the obvious stress of forced incarceration with murderers, rapists or others who would seek to do harm. Smokers would do almost anything for just one cigarette to calm their nerves. Unfortunately, prosecutors and police know this, play upon it, and use it to their advantage.
In recent studies, it has been revealed that nicotine addiction can be as strong, if not stronger than addiction to opioids or cocaine. In many states (including Idaho) the government offers its citizens smoking-cessation drugs or other materials such as nicotine patches, gums, counseling or other treatment to wean themselves from the nicotine addiction. Clearly then, the powers that be realize the difficulties (physical and emotional) faced by even short-term tobacco users. Being thrown in jail forces one to quit "cold-turkey", and to face the withdrawal symptoms without medical or pharmaceutical assistance during what may be the most stressful time of a persons life. Most of these people are eventually released from jail with minor or no charges actually being filed.
In interrogations, police will often offer a cigarette/tobacco to a suspect after days of dehabilitating withdrawals, knowing full well that the cigarette will be both welcomed and will refuel and intensify the desires for the drug over the next several days. Cops tell physically and mentally compromised suspects that pleading guilty will get them out of jail, either on probation or on to prison where they can smoke and feed their addictions, knowing full well that most prisons in the United States (including Idaho) do not permit cigarettes or other tobacco products in their facilities. Cops will even go so far as to tell prisoners that even if the prison does not allow smoking - that "there is always a way around that ." The addiction overrides even common sense, and suspects will give any story, admit to any act - true or not - just to get their fix.
Slapping a suspect around, denying an accused food or drink for hours, or intentionally interrupting sleep with the intent to elicit a confession from a suspect is, by all accounts coercion and is illegal. Denying someone a reasonable opportunity to smoke - especially when the suspect has not even been before a court, and considered innocent until proven guilty - should be considered just as unconstitutional as cruel and unusual punishment.
For free help to stop smoking, telephone (toll free) 1-800-QUITNOW or visit www.projectfilter.com
There are many good reasons to stop smoking, but being put in jail is not one of them. Arrests not only affect the jailed person's freedoms, it places their reputation, their livelihood, homes and family in jepoardy. Costs for bond or bail, attorney fees - as well as fear of the unknown - all add to the obvious stress of forced incarceration with murderers, rapists or others who would seek to do harm. Smokers would do almost anything for just one cigarette to calm their nerves. Unfortunately, prosecutors and police know this, play upon it, and use it to their advantage.
In recent studies, it has been revealed that nicotine addiction can be as strong, if not stronger than addiction to opioids or cocaine. In many states (including Idaho) the government offers its citizens smoking-cessation drugs or other materials such as nicotine patches, gums, counseling or other treatment to wean themselves from the nicotine addiction. Clearly then, the powers that be realize the difficulties (physical and emotional) faced by even short-term tobacco users. Being thrown in jail forces one to quit "cold-turkey", and to face the withdrawal symptoms without medical or pharmaceutical assistance during what may be the most stressful time of a persons life. Most of these people are eventually released from jail with minor or no charges actually being filed.
In interrogations, police will often offer a cigarette/tobacco to a suspect after days of dehabilitating withdrawals, knowing full well that the cigarette will be both welcomed and will refuel and intensify the desires for the drug over the next several days. Cops tell physically and mentally compromised suspects that pleading guilty will get them out of jail, either on probation or on to prison where they can smoke and feed their addictions, knowing full well that most prisons in the United States (including Idaho) do not permit cigarettes or other tobacco products in their facilities. Cops will even go so far as to tell prisoners that even if the prison does not allow smoking - that "there is always a way around that ." The addiction overrides even common sense, and suspects will give any story, admit to any act - true or not - just to get their fix.
Slapping a suspect around, denying an accused food or drink for hours, or intentionally interrupting sleep with the intent to elicit a confession from a suspect is, by all accounts coercion and is illegal. Denying someone a reasonable opportunity to smoke - especially when the suspect has not even been before a court, and considered innocent until proven guilty - should be considered just as unconstitutional as cruel and unusual punishment.
For free help to stop smoking, telephone (toll free) 1-800-QUITNOW or visit www.projectfilter.com