Just a few days ago, it appeared that the residents of Hampton would have a chance to vote for a second time on a proposal to ban smoking on the town’s beaches and in the town’s parks. Now, they won’t, as two selectmen have changed their votes to send the matter to the warrant at March’s town meeting.
In 2017, residents of the town voted 1,806 to 787 in favor of the ban, though it never became law due to it being deemed unenforceable. After revisions were made to it, the Hampton selectman voted 3-0 at their Dec. 13 meeting to send it back to the voters, with one absence and one abstention.
However, on Monday, the board voted 2-1 with one abstention to pull the proposal after concerns about citizens’ rights were brought up, according to a report from SeacoastOnline.com. According to the report, signs will still be placed at the beaches, requesting that smoking be abstained from, though there will be no penalty should someone choose to smoke.
Hampton is home to approximately 15,000 residents.