Trinity College Dublin has officially become a tobacco-free campus.

Announced to coincide with National No Smoking Day, the move will see smoking banned across the campus - except for in three designated smoking zones.

In a statement, the college said it has been working to build support for the plan over the past five years - with 70% of staff and students now in support.

The rules will not be enforced with fines, however "student ambassadors" will remind anyone seen smoking that they are on a tobacco-free campus.

Tobacco-free campus

Dr David McGrath, director of the college Health Centre said the move follows the introduction of Tobacco Free Zones on-campus in 2016.

He said the plan led to an 83% reduction in "observed smoking" in the zones.

The Minister of State for Health Promotion Catherine Byrne launched the new rules this morning - by hitting a cigarette shaped piñata with a hurley.

Proudly launching @tcddublin as a Tobacco Free Campus. 70% of students and staff support a #TobaccoFreeTrinity Fresh air and a #CleanCampus for all! @TCDHealthP #HealthyTrinity #StudentHealth pic.twitter.com/vmHIlGP5LL

— Patrick Prendergast (@pjprendergast) March 6, 2019

Minister Byrne said she was "delighted" to join the college in launching the initiative, adding that it was " great to see such leadership from our young people, working to make your campus a healthier place for students & staff."

Trinity

Trinity Health Promotion Officer Martina Mullen said the college will now continue with its efforts to help people to quit smoking - while also " focusing on the environmental effects of smoking."

"For example, a group of fourth year students are collecting cigarette butts from outside The Pav and highlighting the damage they do to the environment," she said.

"Their ‘No ifs or butts’ campaign is concerned about the environmental damage caused by butt litter.

"Butts contain harmful micro-plastic strands that take 25 years to decompose."

From today smoking will only be permitted at two designated smoking shelters and around the college cricket field.