Smoking may be banned in the majority of public places across the country, it however has never been banned on college campuses until now as Athlone Institute of Technology has become the first third-level institution in the country to completely ban the smoking of all tobacco products on their campus.
Under the new ban all students, staff and visitors to the college grounds will face a fine for lighting up, it is also understood that the smoking of e-cigarettes is prohibited on the college campus.
The move was given approval after it unanimously was voted in favour by all student and staff members on campus. The move has been seen as major step in aiding young people to quit smoking as they will now no longer be able to smoke during college hours. It is not yet known whether or not other colleges across the country will impose such a ban.