#TobaccoFreeNJ News
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
The #TobaccoFreeNJ 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:
Lincoln Mondy, a filmmaker and advocate at Truth Initiative, created powerful short films like Black Lives/Black Lungs to expose the tobacco industry's predatory, racially targeted marketing of menthol use in his family into impactful visual stories, becoming an expert on youth messaging and social justice in public health. Lincoln created a part 2 documentary to the original Black Lives Black Lungs, and it is called, Black Lives/Black Lungs: The Journey of the Stolen Leaf, which explores how long-standing exploitative strategies are now applied to e-cigarettes.
NEW TRENDS:
As part of a 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 .
Most recently these alerts have featured updates on nicotine pouch products, types of products confiscated in schools, and updates on new “Smart” vape devices on the market. CRST Alerts have also updated information about rewards programs from brands like Geek Bar and Zyn, which feature rewards such as concert tickets, gift cards, and iPhones.
TOBACCO PREVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
Great American Smokeout Events Across the State:
This Great American Smokeout is an annual event by the American Cancer Society, held on the third Thursday in November. People are challenged to quit smoking or vaping for at least one day to inspire longer-term quitting and raise awareness about tobacco's dangers and the resources available for support.
New Jersey's Great American Smokeout campaigns featured a social media campaign within our theme of “Break up with Tobacco.” Partner agencies and organizations created informational content such as quit tips and facts about the benefits of quitting – and some fun content featuring their favorite break up song! Incorruptible Us also created additional social media content featured on their Instagram page.
TFHNJ Initiative Spotlight
Working Well Tobacco-Free:
TFHNJ has shifted outreach to Physicians and Dentists across the state. Healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to identify tobacco use early, reinforce quit messages, and connect patients to support. Early detection and intervention can prevent progression to serious disease. These collaborations create a stronger, more coordinated approach to reduce tobacco use, improve health outcomes, and save lives.
The Cooperative provided an Ask, Advise, Refer: Brief Tobacco Intervention Training for Middlesex College of Dental Hygiene with content tailored to address tobacco and oral health. All dental hygiene students received a printed provider toolkit to use as reference when working with patients. To schedule an Ask, Advise, Refer training, contact tobaccofreenj@thecooperative.org
TOBACCO-FREE COMMUNITY DESIGNATION
Congratulations Howell Township, Middletown Township, Readington Township, South Plainfield, and Franklin Lakes for receiving their Tobacco-Free Community 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.
EX PROGRAM
Free mobile program from Truth Initiative
Designed to help young people quit vaping
Text messaging program that incorporates messages from other young people who are attempting to or have successfully quit
This Is Quitting is tailored based on ages within 13 to 24
Ready to Quit Vaping? Text EXPROGRAM to 88709!
To download all pages of this quarters digital backpack, CLICK HERE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Don't Get Vaped In Training:
January 29th, 10:00am-12:00pm
Virtual Via Zoom
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action:
April 1, 2026
No Menthol May:
May 2026
Great American Smokeout
November 19, 2026
For more information, click the image below!
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