Please post a guideline for city/university smoking policy at the library. I am especially concerned about the East entrance of the Regenstein library, where people smoke right at the wall of the building. I have to hold my breath when entering/exiting the building to avoid inhaling smoke.
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I just walked into the Reg Library and through a cloud of smoke. Seems just outside the doors to the lib is the smoking spot. As a medical student I am aware that 2nd hand smoke "bad", as I am sure you are also aware.
I suggest posting signs and directing the smokers to an area where everyone does not have to walk through the smoke.
We do have signs posted on the Regenstein doors, warning smokers to stay at least 15 feet from the entrance to comply with University policy and City of Chicago ordinance. However, the policy also states: "Smoking is permitted outdoors at least 15 feet away from the entrance or enclosed area of any building". When it's nice outside, we notice that many smokers do wander farther away from the doors, but when it rains or is cold, I'm not surprised that they stay as close to the entrance as possible.
This being said, the University policy also states that complaints about smoking can be made to the University's Safety and Environmental Affairs Office (702-9999). If you're repeatedly having to walk through a cloud of smoke, I'd suggest calling them.
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