The coastal town of Middletown, R.I. has announced that it will begin the process of drafting and possibly implementing a smoking ban at its public beaches, parks and recreational areas.

The town council voted to hold a public hearing on June 1 to get input on the matter, which is being proposed for both health and environmental benefits via a reduction in cigarette litter. The ban would also apply to electronic cigarettes, according to a report on TimesUnion.com.

Middletown is home to an estimated 16,150 residents.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.