Smoking ordinance amended in Hampton

The Hampton City Council voted at its Feb. 11 regular meeting to approve an amendment to the code regarding the practice of smoking in public in the city. The ordinance previously prohibited smoking in public places, but the amendment refines the definition of “public place” to specifically include “any area (enclosed or otherwise) of any public park owned or operated by the City of Hampton.”

The previous wording, still in place, includes restaurants, educational facilities, recreational facilities, health care facilities, child care facilities, personal care homes, nursing homes, auditoriums, theaters, arenas, convention centers, meeting rooms and convention halls. A private residence in included if it is used as a child care, nursing home or health care facility.