Republic of Ireland overwhelmingly in favour of extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. On 23 May 2015, Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce an environmental levy for plastic shopping bags in 2002 and a public smoking ban in 2004. Recycling in Ireland is carried out extensively, and Ireland has the second highest rate of packaging recycling in the European Union. It was the first country in Europe to ban incandescent lightbulbs in 2008 and the first EU country to ban in-store tobacco advertising and product display in
Causes of the vote in favour of Brexit 'leave'. Similarly, Curtice reports that "university graduates voted by around three to one in favour of Remain, whereas nearly four in five of those without any educational qualifications voted to Leave". It is thought that those with higher education and higher occupational skills are more likely to benefit economically from globalisation, the Single Market and European membership than those with lower qualifications and so would be more inclined to vote 'remain'. Additionally, studies have shown that those with lower educational qualifications are more likely be socially conservative and feel that European membership brings about constant and dramatic change to the