#TobaccoFreeNJ News

The #TobaccoFreeNJ quarterly newsletter, created to keep you in the know!

Tobacco-Free for a Healthy NJ is a comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation program funded by the NJ Department of Health, Office of Tobacco Control and Prevention, which works to reduce tobacco use and the negative impact of secondhand smoke in all counties of New Jersey.

FEATURED NEWS

BREAKING NEWS:

Attorney General Platkin issued New Jersey businesses licensed to sell tobacco and vapor products in the state, warning letters as part of a coordinated, multi-state enforcement initiative to address the unlawful sales of flavored e-cigarettes, vapes, and accessories.

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NEW TRENDS:

As part of a recently funded NIH/FDA initiative, a large collaborative network of tobacco and nicotine experts have been assembled to integrate multiple data sources to establish the Center for Rapid Surveillance of Tobacco (CRST). CRST aims to systematically assess and quickly disseminate changes in tobacco marketing, the marketplace, and use behaviors.

Tobacco Industry Monitoring (TIM) Alert— TIM is a weekly report that highlights timely findings related to the marketing of tobacco products, as well as other topics of interest to tobacco regulatory science. Information is collected across various channels, such as consumer and retailer magazines, social media, press releases, and more. Stay up to date with the tobacco product marketplace by signing up here .

NO MENTHOL MAY CAMPAIGN

TFHNJ's No Menthol May Statewide Campaign is focused on addressing the health disparities caused by the use of menthol tobacco products, which disproportionately affect communities of color. Through educational campaigns and community outreach efforts, the workgroup aims to protect public health, particularly in vulnerable populations, and reduce tobacco-related harm in New Jersey. These efforts are part of a broader movement to advance tobacco control and ensure a healthier future for all.

To learn more about the No Menthol May Campaign, visit: https://www.tobaccofreenj.com/nomentholmay

To learn more about The Center for Black Health & Equity's No Menthol Sunday Event, visit:

https://nomentholsunday.org/

TOBACCO PREVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action

Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action occurred on April 1, 2025 across the country. Throughout the month, the Incorruptible.Us Instagram account shared content created by youth. On Take Down Tobacco day, Incorruptible.Us also participated in a social media activation from Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, where each chapter posted content on Instagram describing why it’s important for them to #TakeDownTobacco. Incorruptible.Us chapters across the state hosted events in their communities, schools, and attended city council meetings to spread awareness and educated elected officials on the importance of the day and how they can take action to support them.

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Incorruptible.Us Statewide Summit

On Saturday, April 5th, 2025, the Incorruptible.Us Statewide Summit was hosted at Brookdale Community College. This year’s theme was video games! Incorruptible.Us youth participated in different games and activities, listened to Keynote Speaker Matt Bellace discuss natural highs and youth empowermehttp://Incorruptible.Usnt, and had tons of fun with their Silent Disco, Esports Arena, and Board Game hangout! Six Incorruptible.Us chapters were given awards based on their accomplishments over the last year. Incorruptible.Us was also presented with a letter from Senator Cory Booker thanking the youth for their voices in the fight against Big Tobacco. Congratulations to all of our Incorruptible.Us youth for their hard work over the last year! Let’s continue to #TakeDownTobacco together!

To learn more about Incorruptible.Us, please visit https://www.incorruptibleus.org/

Eliminate Tobacco Use Summit

On Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, NJCUITS hosted the annual Eliminate Tobacco Use Summit at Brookdale Community College. This year’s Keynote Speaker was Kathleen Moreira, Clinical Associate from the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program at the University of Colorado, who presented strategies of Motivational Interviewing as it relates to tobacco cessation. Workshops offered included an Overview of Tobacco Product Marketing, LGBTQ Communities and Tobacco Cessation, and Quitting Tobacco. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and listen to our college partners from Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and our Incorruptible U chapter at Rutgers University New Brunswick as they discussed their Tobacco-Free college campus policies.

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TOBACCO FREE COMMUNITY DESIGNATION

Congratulations to Howell Township and Middletown Township for achieving the Tobacco Free Community designation this quarter! Maple Shade Township earned five points towards the designation. Municipalities can pass a point-of-sale ordinance, a smoke-free outdoor ordinance that goes beyond the State Law or other actions like sharing free statewide cessation resources or passing a resolution that supports smoke free workplaces including outdoor dining spaces in order to earn points toward the designation.

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