Sean McVeigh, Principal of St Caolan’s Primary School in Darragh Cross, has supported a call by Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland for a smoking ban at school gates.

The charity renewed its call ahead of World No Tobacco Day, citing a survey showing 68.6% public support for such a measure.

McVeigh said the school backs the proposal because clean air is necessary for children whose lungs are still developing.

The charity stated that passive smoking increases the risk of asthma and other breathing problems in children.

Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland also called on the Department of Health to set a target of less than 5% adult smoking by 2035, matching targets in other parts of the British Isles.

The charity reported that 62.4% of people in Northern Ireland support setting such a date.

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland, said Northern Ireland is the only part of the British Isles without a smoke-free target and noted that roughly 2,400 people die each year from smoking.