TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey General Assembly has passed legislation requiring the state to develop guidelines to help schools and colleges implement anti-vaping awareness campaigns.
The bill, A2195, directs the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, to create and update guidance aimed at reducing e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults.
Under the measure, schools and higher education institutions would be provided with research-based strategies, educational materials and recommendations for age-appropriate campaigns addressing the health risks of vaping. The guidelines would be made publicly available on state websites.
“Strategic marketing and misinformation that downplay the serious health risks of vaping are targeting our young people,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “This legislation ensures that schools and colleges have clear, research-driven tools to educate students about the dangers of e-cigarettes and empower them to make healthier decisions.”
The guidance would include information on vaping’s impact on lung and mental health, as well as its effects on pregnant women, workplace environments and children. It would also compare vaping with traditional cigarette smoking and encourage the use of decision-making tools to help students resist peer pressure.
“We cannot ignore the growing number of adolescents and young adults who are becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping,” said Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-Hunterdon, Mercer).”By providing structured, age-appropriate guidance and updating it annually, we would be giving educators the support they need to confront this public health challenge head-on and protect the long-term well-being of our students.”
“As the Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, keeping New Jerseyans – particularly our youth – safe and healthy is my top priority,” said Assemblywoman Murphy (D-Burlington). “Bill A2195 would provide educators with the resources they need to teach students about the dangers of vaping and the need to avoid e-cigarettes as they grow and mature.”
