A smoking ban will be taking place in the Missouri Department of Corrections starting this year.

As of April 1st, the department’s facilities will be tobacco-free. Offenders, staff, contractors, and visitors will not be allowed to have or use tobacco products inside of the Corrections Facilities.

A designated area will be used outside the area for staff and visitors to smoke.

According to prison officials sales of tobacco products in the canteens will stop in March.

The decision is due to an inmate suing the department for suffering health effects from secondhand smoke.