Smoking and vaping to be banned at Institute of Technology Carlow

Students and staff at the Institute of Technology in Carlow may smoke as they please for the last time today but fromom tomorrow, on-campus smoking at all of the main outdoor thoroughfares is to be prohibited.

‘Smoke Less Campus’ begins at Institute of Technology Carlow to coincide with National No Smoking Day. Under the initiative, smoking is restricted to three designated smoking shelters at strategic locations across the campus to create a smoke free environment around the main campus buildings. 

The new policy includes the use of electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes or other such electronic nicotine delivery systems intended to simulate smoking.

The Instituted says initiative has the full backing of the Institute’s Student’s Union and is a direct response to a survey of more than 1,300 students and staff on the idea of introducing a smoke free campus.  Over 44% of the respondents were in favour of a smoke free campus and a further 41% supported the initiative, with a request for designated smoking shelters on campus.

The first day of the initiative will see fresh flowers and plants placed on outdoor litter bins and celebratory balloons at entrances to buildings, alongside the erection of campus-wide Smoke Less Campus branding.

Beat 102103FM will broadcast from the main campus building and there will be fun and interactive ‘no smoking’ games for staff and students. The in-house nurse will be on-hand to provide advice on quitting smoking and the Students Union will distribute Smokerlyzer® carbon monoxide breath test monitors.  

Students’ Union president at Institute of Technology Carlow, Lorna Fitzpatrick said: “IT Carlow Students’ Union is delighted to support the launch of IT Carlow Smokeless Campus from tomorrow. We expect a great atmosphere on campus, and we look forward to having a healthier campus for all students, moving forward”. 

Dr Patrick Doorley, the chairman of ASH Ireland, the country’s leading anti-tobacco will visit Institute to Technology Carlow to support the first day of the initiative and thank students and staff for implementing the health-led policy.