NC beach town considers smoking ban

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (AP) - Wrightsville Beach is considering the first ban on smoking at the beach in North Carolina.

The StarNews of Wilmington reports (http://bit.ly/JwPBpq ) that a resident-led petition to ban smoking at the beach was approved by the New Hanover County Board of Elections. That means Wrightsville Beach leaders can either approve the ban or put it up for a vote by the whole town.

The ordinance bans smoking in the sand, but not in the entire town.

Steve Mann was smoking a cigarette on Wrightsville Beach on Sunday and said he would consider going somewhere else. But others say the ban could help keep the beaches clean and safe,