BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) — State prison inmates are no longer allowed to use tobacco.

State Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein says the ban that began Saturday should save the state $400,000 in health care costs.

The ban does not apply to correctional officers. Rubenstein says correctional officers will be allowed to smoke in certain segregated areas.

State corrections officials imposed an indoor smoking ban in 2006. A plan to make the entire system tobacco free last July was put on hold to address concerns raised by employees and others.

Information from: The Register-Herald, http://www.register-herald.com