New York Consolidated Laws, Alcoholic Beverage Control Law - ABC § 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.