Mississippi prisons become smoke-free

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi prisons go smoke-free Sunday.

Mississippi Department of Corrections officials say the policy covers any building, grounds and prisons operated by the agency.

Signs have been posted around the facilities for several weeks reminding employees and inmates of the policy.

MDOC spokeswoman Tara Booth says employees and inmates have known about the no-smoking policy since mid-December. She says the canteens in the prisons have been selling fewer and fewer tobacco products over the past few weeks.

Booth says the MDOC medical director will make patches and other smoking cessation products available to help those with severe addictions.