WA prison officers want full smoking ban

West Australian prison officers are calling for a full ban on smoking on jail grounds, saying the state is lagging behind the rest of the nation.

Smoking was banned inside WA's prison buildings in 2008, but is still allowed in outdoor areas, and the union says there's a problem with inmates smoking in their cells, especially at night.

"Every other state and territory in Australia has either already banned smoking in prisons, or is planning to in the near future," WA Prison Officers Union secretary John Welch said.

Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis said he was keeping an open mind about a total smoking ban but didn't support it currently.

"I'm about 52 (per cent) no, 48 yes for a ban," Mr Francis told ABC radio.

"A lot of people who come into prison are already going cold turkey on a drug addiction, alcohol addiction, separated from their family.

"For many of them, it's going to be a bridge too far."