Time is running out. NJ Lawmakers Must Act NOW to end the sale of ALL flavored tobacco products in New Jersey including flavored e-cigarettes, cigars & menthol cigarettes!

For Immediate Release—With just days left in this legislative session and the FDA’s failure to protect kids with its recent policy that leaves menthol and other youth-appealing flavored tobacco products on the market, New Jersey Lawmakers must act NOW on legislation banning the sale of all flavored tobacco products in New Jersey, including favored e-cigarettes, cigars and menthol cigarettes. We know addressing the youth tobacco epidemic is a priority for all, so we’re hopeful politics and the interests of Big Tobacco can be put aside for the health of New Jersey’s kids with swift passage of legislation before the session ends next week.

Mounting research shows flavors attract kids. According to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey nearly 7 in 10 (69.6% or 4.3 million) middle and high school students who currently use tobacco products reported using flavored products and youth smokers are more likely to use menthol cigarettes than any other age group. It’s no secret the tobacco industry has also aggressively targeted the African American community with their menthol products, leading to 80% of African American smokers using menthol and an unequal burden of death and disease.

New Jersey has always been regarded as a national leader in passing and implementing impactful, effective policies that are proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use. We urge the Legislature and Governor Murphy to continue this leadership by enacting comprehensive legislation eliminating the sale of ALL flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes, cigars and menthol cigarettes in the Garden State before this current legislative session ends on January 14.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Medical Society of New Jersey

NAACP NJ State Conference

New Jersey Education Association

New Jersey Association of School Administrators

New Jersey Prevention Network

New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association

New Jersey Public Health Association

New Jersey PTA

New Jersey YMCA State Alliance

PAVe (Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes)

Preferred Behavioral Health Group

Salvation and Social Justice

Wellspring Center for Prevention