Challenge to NY parks smoking ban unexpected

May 30, 2012—New York officials said yesterday that they were putting a temporary hold on the enforcement of a ban on tobacco smoking at state parks in the city, according to a story by Glenn Blain for the New York Daily News.

The ban, enacted in April, extended also to designated areas around pools and playgrounds at all other state parks.

But officials were forced to shelve the ban after the city-based group, Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment (CLASH), filed formal objections to the policy.

The objections require the state to draft a response and hold a lengthy public comment period before the smoking ban can be implemented. The process could last for months, and a lawsuit is likely.

Dan Keefe, a spokesman for the state office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, confirmed that the state would not be handing out tickets until the process was concluded, but he said that the signs would be left in place.

Keefe admitted that state officials had not expected anyone to object when they announced the policy and began posting signs.