N.Y. Court of Appeals Voted to Uphold Smoking Ban in State Parks

If you were hoping on lighting up at one of New York's state parks, then you're once again out of luck.

A smokers’ rights group tried to convince lawmakers in Albany that parks officials had too much authority, and smoking limits should be left to state lawmakers instead.

That did not happen.

The New York Court of Appeals unanimously struck down the measure.

The Daily Freeman says that Judge Eugene Fahey wrote that Legislature will continue to give parks department authority to provide for the health and welfare of the public within the state park system.

The no-smoking areas were established in February 2013 at various parks statewide, including beaches and all nine state parks within New York City.

The parks office oversees 179 parks and 35 historical sites.