Commissioner Bill Sergeant says he's bothered by smoking on the beach. He also favors having designated smoking areas on the boardwalk and possibly banning smoking in parks.
Sergeant adds that he wishes the state would take the lead on the issue.
Neighboring towns have issued similar bans. Bethany Beach restricts smoking year-round on its boardwalk and bandstands, and smoking on the beach is banned in the summer. Lewes has a year-round ban at public parks and playgrounds.
Some members of the business community are concerned that such bans would hurt tourism. Carol Everhart, president of the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, says a destination community like Rehoboth needs to be as welcoming as it can be.
