Quote
"Local action by communities has proven to be effective in enforcing youth access legislation and reducing tobacco use among young persons. However, the tobacco industry has been equally successful in weakening local control and community involvement through state laws containing preemption provisions."
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, November 3, 1995
New Jersey
The New Jersey Smokefree Air Act went into effect April 15, 2006. It makes most workplaces, including factories, offices, government buildings, restaurants, and bars 100% smokefree. In addition, the law restored the right of local control, allowing cities in the Garden State to consider and enact stronger smokefree protections. Read New Jersey's 100% smokefree law.
While bars and restaurants in casinos are smokefree, casino floors are exempt from the law. Since the Smokefree Air Act restored local control, the Atlantic City City Council adopted a law to further address smoking on casino floors by prohibiting smoking on 75% of casino floors. Additionally, the 2010-2011 legislature is considering several bills to close the loophole for smoking on casino floors.
In January 2010, the Governor signed a bill to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public places and workplaces that are covered by the state smokefree law.
For more information about the smokefree law, please visit New
Jersey GASP and the Department
of Health and Senior Services.
To report a violation, fill
out an online form.
/images/NJ%20smokefree%20logo.jpg)
New Jersey has the strongest smokefree college law in the country. On August 22, 2005, acting Governor Richard Codey signed Senate Bill 2332, which made all residence halls on all New Jersey college campuses, both public and private, 100% smokefree as of October 2005.
Current tobacco-related statistics are available from the Centers for Disease Control's Tobacco Control State Highlights, 2007. Read more about tobacco-related legislation from SLATI and New Jersey GASP.
New Jersey's 2010-2011 Legislative Session: January 12, 2010 - January 12, 2012 (est.)
Legislative SummariesArchives
- 1/14/2010A1062—(casinos)—An Act amending the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act
- 1/14/2010A1591/S475—(vehicles with minors)—An Act concerning smoking in a motor vehicle
- 1/29/2010A1853—(state parks and beaches)—An Act designating sections of State beaches, parks, and forests as smokefree areas
- 1/14/2010A2172/S669—(parks and beaches)—An Act concerning smoking at public parks and beaches—S669 on Hold
- 5/28/2010A2814—(vehicles with minors)—An Act concerning smoking in a motor vehicle
- 12/8/2009A4227/A4228—(e-cigarettes in public places)—An Act concerning the use of electronic smoking devices in indoor public places and workplaces—Signed by the Governor
- 1/14/2010A461—(tobacco business exemption)—An Act concerning testing of cigarettes
- 1/14/2010A512—(state vehicles)—An Act concerning smoking in State-owned or operated vehicles
- 5/28/2010S2001—(gaming exemption)—An Act creating a cigar night smoking ban exemption for racetracks and off-track wagering facilities
- 1/14/2010S423—(casinos)—An Act amending the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act
- 1/14/2010S443—(outdoor public places)—An Act concerning smoking in certain outdoor public places—On Hold
- 1/14/2010S446—(housing)—An Act regulating smoking in multiple dwellings
- 1/14/2010S684—(youth; outdoors)—An Act concerning the use of tobacco products by persons under 19 years of age
- 2/5/2010S889—(state-owned beaches)—An Act prohibiting smoking at state-owned beaches—On Hold
Action AlertsArchives
- 8/13/2010Preemption Watch Bill Tracking Summary
- 5/19/2010What's happening in the U.S. Territories and Commonwealths?
News SummariesArchives
- 2/5/2010State Preemption of Local Smoke-Free Laws in Government Work Sites, Private Work Sites, and Restaurants United States, 2005-2009
- 3/10/2009State considering total smoking ban for AC casinos
Press ReleasesArchives
There aren't any press releases for this state at this time. Please check back.
State Specific Resources
- 8/10/2005Restore: NJ Letter to Local Governments
- 5/4/2004New Jersey Medical Association Position of Support based on CDC's Recommendation
- 4/26/2004Resolution to Repeal Preemption - Salem County, NJ Board of Chosen Freeholders
