All of Michigan DOC will be tobacco free starting February 2009. There will be no smoking, no chew, no tobacco products for prisoners and staff. Does anyone have any suggestion for staff rewards and incentives? It could be anything, any price. We prefer low or no cost options, but any idea is important and could be a springboard to another thought. It could be anything you’ve seen at your agency or your own concept. I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks so much,

Joe Bouchard, Michigan DOC (906) 353-7070 ext 1321

NC DOC has a few facilites tobacco free. I had chewed for 20 years and decided to quit last Nov. Our insurance provides some patch discounts, but I did not use them. How’s this for an incintive; I averaged $12.00 a week on chewing tobacco. Since quitting I have paid myself over $430.00. I am sure for the cigarette smokers the cost per week is much higher, and thus the cost savings greater. Was it easy, heck no, but I’m so thankful I’ve made it this far. Besides, I was not going to let the State dictate to me when I should quit, I beat them to the punch, an that is a self satisfying incintive all by itself.

As of March 2009, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections is going tobacco free across the board as well. Their incentive for us is, if you don’t bring it in or get caught doing it on state grounds, they’ll let us keep our jobs. LOL

Yeah, Ohio DRC is stepping up and outlawing all tobacco products on state property. Obviously, tobacco is headed the way of the carrier pigeon. Seems if the brass really, really wanted to help us kick the habit (not only state employees, but everyone) they would use some of that tobacco settlement $$ for something other than a telephone hotline and commercials in the media. But that money has unfortunately gone for things not related to tobacco cessation, leaving it up to the individual to handle the addiction on his own.