Warren County Regional Jail is tobacco free after an early morning collection of the products.

As tobacco products were being collected, inmates predicted more fights because of moodiness – but not all were displeased by the move.

A deputy jailer issued a warning over the loudspeaker at 7 a.m. that any cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, ashtrays, matches or lighters were now contraband and could result in additional charges against inmates if they are found in possession of them.

A team of deputy jailers went through each of the blocks as part of their normal procedure while removing trash from the cells and providing grooming products. Not many tobacco products were taken, but a number of the inmates had ash trays or matches to give the deputy jailers.

Deputy Jailer Sean Willingham said the inmates were told about six weeks ago about the new policy and cigarette sales were stopped at the commissary April 27. A number of inmates have already used all their tobacco products before today’s deadline.

&#8220We didn’t want to let them all stock up right before the deadline because they can only put one pack of cigarettes, one lighter or one book of matches in their property (stored by the jail),” he said. &#8220Everything else has to be discarded.”

The commissary stopped selling loose-leaf tobacco before stopping the sale of cigarettes, Willingham said. The loose leaf was more commonly used because it was less expensive.

&#8220I would estimate at least 50 percent of them smoked,” he said.

The jail is already cleaner, as fewer inmates have been smoking leading up to the ban, Willingham said.

A number of inmates complained when the policy was announced, he said.

Class D state inmates also have an issue because they can smoke while out on work release, but they can’t bring the products back into the facility or they will be placed in a holding cell, Willingham said.

&#8220It’s going to be a tricky situation for them,” he said.

Willingham said he is a smoker, but is glad the facility is smoke-free.

&#8220I’ve already bought a bunch of (nicotine) patches,” he said.

The policy will create more violence in the jail, said Paul Lyains, an inmate awaiting transfer to the state penitentiary.

People are already stressed enough here, he said. He expects a lot more fights and violence in two or three days.

&#8220You’re hearing that from a guy with two black eyes from getting in fights over something minor,” Lyains said. &#8220I got into a fight over a card game.”

Cigarettes have a calming effect, he said.

&#8220If you get stressed, just sit down, roll a cigarette and smoke it,” Lyains said.

&#8220I think they know there’ll be an increase in violence and are ready for it.

&#8220Before this, I would have stayed here as long as possible to be closer to my family,” he said. &#8220Now I can’t wait to go Š just so I can have a cigarette.”

Quitting while in the facility will be easy because the inmates won’t have a choice, Lyains said.

&#8220It’s just another thing to take away from us,” he said.

Not all inmates were unhappy with the smoke-free policy.

&#8220I think it actually will do some good,” inmate John Dobbs said.

He hopes the policy will help him quit smoking after years of the habit.

&#8220A lot of guys ain’t happy with it,” Dobbs said.

Cigarettes used to be something that could be traded in the jail for food, coffee or clothing, he said. They would also be used to wager.

&#8220I once saw a guy get a brand new pair of shoes for a pack of cigarettes,” Dobbs said. &#8220I’ll guess we’ll have to find something else to use, probably food off of trays.”

The jail made a good decision removing smoking, inmate Ronnie Webster said. It will cost less money, he said, and the jail will be cleaner.

Going smoke free is an easy way to quit because there’s no choice, Webster said, and everyone knew this day was coming.

&#8220I quit about a month ago. It’s mind over matter,” he said.

A number of other inmates are upset about the policy, Webster said.

&#8220There are a bunch of crybabies in here,” he said.

Taking away smoking could cause more fights, Webster said.

&#8220It’ll just give us something to watch,” he said. &#8220Guys are going to be grumpy and upset.”

Jailer Jackie Strode said previously the decision to go smoke-free came from speaking with people at other facilities that had done it successfully and the jail’s own medical staff.

A number of guards have also used the change in policy as motivation to quit smoking, he said.

The change also saves money because walls won’t have to be painted as often and air filters will last longer, Strode said.

Willingham said two walls have been painted since the policy was announced.

The Simpson County Jail is the only other area facility with a tobacco products ban.