N.Y. Alcoholic Beverage Control Law § 2: Policy of state and purpose of chapter

§ 2. Policy of state and purpose of chapter. It is hereby declared as

the policy of the state that it is necessary to regulate and control the

manufacture, sale and distribution within the state of alcoholic

beverages for the purpose of fostering and promoting temperance in their

consumption and respect for and obedience to law; for the primary

purpose of promoting the health, welfare and safety of the people of the

state, promoting temperance in the consumption of alcoholic beverages;

and, to the extent possible, supporting economic growth, job

development, and the state's alcoholic beverage production industries

and its tourism and recreation industry; and which promotes the

conservation and enhancement of state agricultural lands; provided that

such activities do not conflict with the primary regulatory objectives

of this chapter. It is hereby declared that such policies will best be

carried out by empowering the liquor authority of the state to determine

whether public convenience and advantage will be promoted by the

issuance of licenses to traffic in alcoholic beverages, the increase or

decrease in the number thereof and the location of premises licensed

thereby, subject only to the right of judicial review provided for in

this chapter. It is the purpose of this chapter to carry out these

policies in the public interest.