Four in every five inmates currently smoke, and the decision to force them to be smoke-free by August 31 is unlikely to be well received.
A trial was held across 21 prisons in Wales last year, with a sharp spike in fighting and vandalism reported at HMP Cardiff.
Convicts are being encouraged to sign up for courses and replacement devices in order to help them kick the habit before the deadline.
Aside from the risk of increased trouble, critics fear the move could see an rise in contraband substances, such as Spice, being smuggled in.
Belmarsh and Strangeways are among the notorious jails where some of the country's most ferocious prisoners will have to deal with the changes.
Alex Cavendish, who is now a prison academic after doing time himself, told the Telegraph: 'Tobacco is an integral part of prison life. As well as being regarded as a treat and helping to alleviate boredom, smoking also acts as a crutch for inmates with a range of more serious issues.
'There are lots of inmates who suffer from drug addiction, anxiety, mental health problems and other associated conditions and smoking can help calm them down. To deny them that at times of great stress could just lead to greater problems.'
The Prison Officers Association has confirmed that the success of the scheme will be monitored.
A spokesman said: 'We are aware that the ban could lead to increased tension among some prisoners, particularly those in high security establishments, but we have learned a lot from the pilot scheme and what we have seen so far suggests that prisoners will take this on board without too much complaint'
The move is a complete u-turn from last year, when smokers won back the right to carry on their tobacco habit behind bars.
Senior judges ruled that the ban on smoking in public places did not apply to state-run jails.
At the time, Government lawyers had warned against a 'particularly vigorous' ban on smoking in state prisons amid fears it could spark disturbances and risk the safety of staff and inmates.
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