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Cigarette smoking was banned in all public places, but starting with today it will be banned inside most of the State’s prisons and limited to designated areas.

But a prisoners' rights group has warned a ban would result in increased tension, violence and a flourishing black market where prisoners would be prepared to trade "favors" for cigarettes. However Government decided to prohibit smoking in prisons.

The move, which will make all cells and units smoke-free, finally brings the prison system into line with other workplaces but health groups argue the changes do not go far enough.

Mike Daube, Australian Council on Smoking and Health president, welcomed the partial ban but warned that prisoners were not getting the same protection as the rest of the community.

He added: "There have been complete bans on smoking in prisons in 11 American states, including California and the whole US Federal penitentiary system, so we know this is working well in the US. If it’s good enough for Arnold Schwarzenegger, it’s good enough for us".

A total smoking ban within prisons was recommended by the end of 2011. Because this is definitely a step forward the health of prisoners is just as important as the health of people in the general community.

Anti-smoking researchers are sure that these measures will give prison staves the confidence to make prisons completely smoke-free, as they are already alcohol-free, within the next year or two. Gary Geelhoed, Australian Medical Association Washington president, has previously called for public dispute on a total smoking ban in prisons, recognizing it was a difficult issue to balance.

Statistics show that more than 85 percent of prisoners smoke, compared to a rate of about 15 percent in the general community, making the department reluctant to push ahead with a complete ban because of unprecedented growth in the prison population. Corrective Services Commissioner Ian Johnson said that seven prisons were on track to impose today’s ban, while the six remaining were well advanced. He ruled out a complete ban on smoking, saying that it transcended community standards.

"I would imagine prison is a very stressful place for people to work in and there is no doubt that smoking is a great stress reliever. If I was a prison officer who liked to smoke, I would be furious," explained a smoker. A total ban on smoking was imposed at Parliament House earlier this month, prohibiting lighting up within 10 metres of any entrance to the building. Smoking had previously been confined to one corner of the parliamentary courtyard.