Another Irish educational institution has banned smoking on campus. Following the likes of Athlone Institute of Technology, UCD, Trinity College Dublin, and University Limerick, the Institute of Technology Carlow today announced its ban on on-campus smoking in all main outdoor areas.
#ITCarlow Announces New Smoking Policy #nosmoke #smokefree #Health https://t.co/2w1g007K0J pic.twitter.com/DbIDnWfaXg
— IT Carlow (@itcarlow) February 1, 2018
The move is being implemented from Valentines Day when three designated smoking areas will be located across the campus. The initiative has been brought forward through the "Smoke Less Campus" which surveyed over 1,300 students who voted in favour of a smoke-free campus. Over 44% were in favour of a smoke-free campus and 41% wanted a designated smoking area.
The no smoking policy will include everything from electronic cigarettes to pipes. Experts are expecting the move to decrease smoking within the Irish campus and making smoking a less sociable habit. According to The Irish Times, Dr Patrick Doorley, chairman of Ash Ireland, believes the move will “greatly reduce” tobacco waste:
Institute of Technology Carlow can now become a smoke-free leader in the third-level sector and this will ultimately reduce smoking prevalence and save lives.
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Smokers will not be banished from the campus. Lorna Fitzpatrick, IT Carlow Students’ Union president pushed for smoking shelters to be implemented across the campus:
We have worked in tandem with the institute to ensure there were new smoking shelters placed around the campus so that our students who smoke have areas to do so...We will be supporting students who do wish to quit and encourage anyone thinking of quitting smoking to talk to the nurse or ring the national quit helpline.
