Electronic Cigarette Bill is Officially Signed into Law

Published in: The Courier News

Earlier this month controversy continued to rise around the electronic cigarette, a battery-operated device that is more commonly known as the e-cigarette. This product, which resembles and feels like a real cigarette, is often purchased on the internet and at mall kiosks. While many advocates raved about this product being a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, others opposed this device, claiming it was just another cliché tobacco product with a variety of fruity flavors, that lures today’s youth into the addicting world of smoking. In fact, The Food and Drug Administration are not in support of this product because it contains carcinogens and toxic chemicals, such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze.

On January 11, 2010 New Jersey’s former Governor, Jon S. Corzine sided with those not in favor of the electronic cigarette and supported Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz’s sponsored legislation (A4227/4228) by signing the bill, which bans electronic cigarettes from being sold to anyone under the age of 19 years old. This law also amends the 2006 New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act, a law that prohibits smoking in indoor public places and workplaces, to include electronic cigarettes. Under this bill, which takes effect 60 days after the former Governor’s signing, the consequences that currently apply to a person who smokes tobacco in an indoor public place or workplace will also apply to a person who uses an electronic cigarette in similar settings, and will be issued by local health departments. These penalties include: a fine no less than $250 for the first offense, a $500 fine for the second offense, and a $1,000 fine for every additional offense.

As Community Partnerships for a Tobacco Free NJ Coordinator at the Somerset Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (SCADD), which is funded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program (CTCP), and member of the Somerset County Cancer Coalition, we believe it is important for every New Jersey resident to be aware of this new law, as well as the penalties that will be issued if it is challenged. More importantly, it’s imperative to know where to seek help if you’re looking for healthier ways to quit smoking, approved by the FDA. If you or anyone you know is interested in quitting smoking please contact the Somerset Medical Center’s Quit-Center at (908) 685-2442, logon to New Jersey Quitnet at nj.quitnet.com, or call New Jersey Quitline at (866) NJ-STOPS.

Stephanie Simmons
Somerset County Community Partnerships for a Tobacco Free NJ Coordinator
Somerset Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency