Criminals, whose upkeep Georgia taxpayers provide, are encouraged to use the most dangerous substance known to mankind, tobacco.

Did you know that the state of Georgia not only permits prisoners to smoke, but also sells tobacco to them? Although no one would call state prisons country clubs, even most country clubs no longer sell tobacco.

The excuse for allowing tobacco on state prison grounds is that it is permitted only outdoors. It is ridiculous to think cigarettes will stay outdoors. We all know that people are in prison because they break laws.

Apologists for the tobacco industry complain that this is one of the few pleasures these "poor dears" have. Why not provide prisoners heroin and cocaine? Tobacco apologists would indignantly reply, "But those are illegal!" Since alcohol and sex are both legal activities, we might logically ask why the state does not set up bars and brothels for prisoners.

Individuals who have forfeited most privileges accorded to citizens have no legitimate complaint about being denied access to pleasurable addictive substances.

Why does Georgia coddle its addicts?

Could it be because inmates and individuals with severe mental illnesses are a large source of revenue for the tobacco industry? Research shows that 80 percent to 90 percent of inmates are tobacco addicts, and that individuals with severe mental illnesses consume more than half of the cigarettes smoked in the entire United States. Readers may not realize that since we have reduced the number of public psychiatric hospitals, jails and prisons have by default become hospitals for the severely mentally ill.

To bolster addiction, the tobacco industry bribes prisons across the country with athletic equipment, board games and sneakers.

Nonsmoking prisoners who have become ill because of exposure to tobacco smoke have filed lawsuits against state governments. New York is facing a $15 million lawsuit from a former prisoner. It is only a matter of time before our state loses a bundle in an unsuccessful defense of such a lawsuit.

Extensive studies have shown that the use of tobacco in the vicinity of others is hazardous to their health and life. No one would think that you should be forced to drink water or eat food that has passed through another individual. In a precedent-setting policy over 20 years ago, Kimball Physics of New Hampshire eliminated all tobacco on its campuses at the instigation of its workers. They do not want to be exposed to tobacco smoke from the clothing of those who enter the premises, so they require a two-hour waiting period before people are allowed in the gate. Their business flourishes. Since that time, schools, universities and other businesses have adopted smoke-free policies, again with no problems.

For years, California and Nebraska have operated successful no-tobacco prisons. Others have followed suit. These states have found that the transition has gone smoothly and that they save a great deal of taxpayers' money.

There far fewer sick prisoners who require medical treatment, cleaning costs are reduced and cigarette-caused fires are nonexistent. Let's see if Georgia too can reduce the $4,000 it spends on each prisoner per year for their health care.

Eliminating tobacco in prisons also improves the health of state employees, again saving taxpayers' money. It has been shown quite conclusively that people who do not use tobacco because of workplace rules are much more likely to reduce their consumption and use of this addictive substance, resulting in reduced sick days and health care costs.

Will Georgia be the last state to have such a sensible policy?

> Sheldon B. Cohen and Robert Lathan are physicians who co-chair the Atlanta Coalition Against Tobacco.