The Maori Party says a smoking ban on inmates should also apply to prison staff.
From July next year inmates will be banned from smoking in prison and from having lighters or matches.
Two-thirds of inmates smoke, and the ban is expected to affect about 5700 prisoners.
Corrections Department chief executive Barry Matthews says while prison staff will be encouraged to give up smoking as well, they will be able smoke in designated areas away from prisoners.
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the ban should apply
But Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says if the reason for the ban is the health and wellbeing of everyone in prisons, then it should apply to to everybody on prison grounds - prison staff as well as inmates.
