Attempts by the California Legislature to impose a smoking ban in the state's national parks have temporarily stalled.

The bill in the Assembly fell five votes short of the majority needed to impose the ban - due partly to the absence of lawmakers who were expected to vote for it and partly over objections that it would inappropriately punish smokers - but its supporters are reported to be ready to reintroduce the proposal shortly. The legislation - authored by Democrat state senator Jenny Oropeza of Long Beach, California - would ban smoking on the state's beaches and at all other state parks as a means of removing cigarette butts from the scenery, eliminating secondhand smoke and reducing the risk of wildfires. Campsites and parking areas would be exempted.

If the ban goes ahead it would make California the first state to prohibit smoking throughout its entire park system, although similar restrictions are said to be under consideration for Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York.