Restricting Smoking Near Public Library

Connie Bennett says, because of complaints from visitors about people gathering in front of the library and smoking, she and other city staff members are asking the city council to ban smoking around city buildings. Especially those that provide services to children like the downtown Eugene Library. The proposed ordinance would move the smoking area from 25 feet from the door; add an additional 5 feet to the curb. Bennett says pushing the smoking zones to the curb, would make the rule easier to explain. “We are trying to be welcoming to everyone, so if there are behaviors that are happening that prevent access or that are disruptive to other people’s use, that’s the behaviors we want to move, not the people,” Connie Bennett said. A public hearing for this proposed amendment is scheduled for January 19th.