Ait bans smoking

Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) has become the first third level institution in Ireland to completely ban tobacco products on its campus. The ban, which includes e-cigarettes, is part of AIT’s Healthy Campus initiative.

A survey undertaken of staff and students earlier this year highlighted that 80% of the college community are non-smokers, while one-third of respondents who are daily smokers said that they would like to quit. Less than one-third (31%) of respondents were opposed to the move towards tobacco-free status.

AIT president, Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, described it as “a very good day for all of our students and staff, as well as the wide number of visitors to the institute. A tobacco-free campus will provide a healthier, cleaner and safer environment for smokers and non-smokers alike.”

“When we surveyed the campus community, the overwhelming preference was to go tobacco-free. This sends out a strong signal in terms of how we are prioritising health and healthy living. It also complements the extensive investment which we have made in terms of our sporting facilities, which are amongst the best in the country,” the president stated.

Healthy Campus coordinator, Anne Cooney, said that AIT’s Tobacco-Free Campus would “protect all the members of our community from unwanted and involuntary exposure to tobacco and passive smoke. Furthermore, it will provide the motivation for tobacco users to get the help they need to quit for good.”

Explaining how the policy will be enforced, Ms Cooney said that it will be on the basis of “appealing to people’s better nature, rather than by imposing a series of penalties. This will be supported by an ongoing information campaign, as well as volunteers and information officers who will help get the message across.”