Smoking was primarily banned for health reasons, but the unique nature of jails highlighted several other considerations related to the smoking issue, such as fire hazards and building maintenance. After county officials determined that a ban on smoking was legal, they contacted local medical professionals and decided to provide educational materials and professional counseling to inmates who wanted to stop smoking. In assessing the effects of a no-smoking policy, county officials identified other agencies with such a policy. They found a comparable jail facility in King County, Washington, housing about 1,600 inmates that had banned smoking. In Kern County, the no- smoking plan was implemented in phases. No major or serious incidents related to the smoking ban have occurred, and the cleanliness of jail facilities has improved.