Area of Responsibility: Area III: Implementation Keywords: Community Health@@@Health Policy@@@Smoking and Tobacco, Subcompetencies: 3.2 Deliver health education and promotion interventions., 3.2.4 Deliver health education and promotion as designed. Research or Practice: Practice
Tobacco Program Coordinator New Jersey Department of Health Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Upon completion of this session, participants will have an increase in understanding of the NJ Smoke Free Air Act and related exemptions.
Upon completion of this session, participants will have a better understanding of the NJ Smoke-Free Air Act signage requirements and enforcement procedures.
Upon completion of this session, participants will have a better understanding of additional rules and regulations put into place by NJ, such as TRE licensing requirements.
Brief Abstract Summary: The NJ Smoke-Free Air Act (NJ SFAA) was enacted in April 2006 to prohibit smoking in indoor public places and workplaces, including restaurants, schools, and healthcare facilities. While most indoor spaces are protected from the hazards of secondhand smoke, the following are places exempted from the law: 1) Up to 20% of guest rooms in hotels, motels, or other lodging establishment, 2) casino gaming areas and casino simulcasting facilities, 3) registered cigar bars or lounges, and 4) tobacco retail establishments (TREs). A standardized training will be developed on NJSFAA exemptions for TREs and cigar bars/lounges for local health officers to better inform enforcement activities in support of the law.
Detailed abstract description:
Background: The NJ Smoke-Free Air Act (NJ SFAA) was enacted in April 2006 to prohibit smoking in indoor public places and workplaces, including restaurants, schools, and healthcare facilities. The NJSFAA ensures that workers have a safe smoke-free workplace and that all non-smokers including children and the elderly, are protected from secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that can lead to illness and premature death. The NJ SFAA ensures that residents are protected from secondhand smoke exposure in enclosed spaces. While most indoor spaces are protected from the hazards of secondhand smoke, the following are places exempted from the law: 1) Up to 20% of guest rooms in hotels, motels, or other lodging establishment, 2) casino gaming areas and casino simulcasting facilities, 3) registered cigar bars or lounges, and 4) tobacco retail establishments (TREs).
Methods: A standardized training will be developed on NJ SFAA exemptions for TREs and cigar bars/lounges for local health officers to better inform enforcement activities in support of the law. It will be conducted through a PowerPoint presentation format that can be delivered virtually, through Zoom or Microsoft Teams and in-person through public forums such as NJ Association of City and County Health Officials or the NJ Local Boards of Health Association. Content development will be guided by current NJSFAA regulations, enforcement protocols, and input from subject matter experts.
Results/Lessons Learned: The expected results of this training will be an increase in understanding of the NJ Smoke Free Air Act and its exemptions, recognize when a violation is occurring within their districts, and minimize the risk of mistakenly citing entities that are lawfully exempted or overlooking non-compliant entities. The learning objectives will include: 1) an increase in understanding of what the law states, including a detailed overview of all NJSFAA exemptions, 2) increase understanding of when a violation occurs, 3) signage requirements and enforcement procedures, and 4) reviewing additional rules and regulations, such as TRE licensing and enforcement.
Conclusions: Health officers can play a vital role in public health, by educating businesses and the public about the provisions of the NJ SFAA. By providing training on tobacco control laws and policies, health officers can remain well-informed and provide accurate guidance and promote better compliance with laws and regulations.
