ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, March 4, 1997                 TAG: 9703040050
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU 

MONTGOMERY JAIL TO GO SMOKE-FREE

Inmates at the Montgomery County Jail are going smoke-free in an effort by the sheriff to provide a healthier and safer environment.

Sheriff Doug Marrs said Monday a policy to eliminate cigarette smoking in both the jail and the main office will go into effect Aug. 1.

Marrs said the comments he has received - even from his employees who smoke - have been positive.

"They don't seem to have a problem with it," he said. Some of the smokers have said, "It'll give me, maybe, an opportunity to quit [smoking]," Marrs said.

"With the health costs today, it will benefit those who smoke and those who don't," he said.

When asked if he worried about possible problems with inmates who objected to the restriction, Marrs simply cited several other jails that have the same policy including Roanoke, Roanoke County and Wythe County jails. He also noted that allowing inmates to smoke is a safety concern because inmates with matches and lighters sometimes use them to set sheets on fire in the jail.

Marrs said he hopes to eliminate such hazards and promote a more healthful working environment for employees with the policy.

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