Report Card
Enforcement
The New Jersey Department of Health is designated to enforce Tobacco 21, and while the state licenses cigarette retailers, the program does not cover e-cigarette sellers. The license program provides for the possibility of suspension for repeated violations but does not mandate it. Improvements to the statewide licensing program to require all tobacco and nicotine sellers obtain a license and increasing the fees and fines, as well as improving the penalty structure, would substantially increase retailer compliance throughout the state. New Jersey does not penalize youth for purchase, use, or possession (PUP) of tobacco products, in keeping with best practices for a Tobacco 21 law.
Tobacco Retail License
- Comprehensive statewide Tobacco Retail License covering all tobacco products
- Multiple Tobacco Retail Licenses that cover all tobacco products
- Tobacco Retail License only covers cigarettes and NOT e-cigarettes
- No statewide Tobacco Retail License
Preemption
- No preemption
- Preempted from raising the sales age
- Preempted from creating a Tobacco Retail License
All public health is local. Often Big Tobacco works to add preemption to statewide tobacco control bills so cities and counties are unable to enact laws that better protect the public.
High School Vaping Rate
27.6%
of High School Seniors have vaped in the past 30 days
Tobacco Prevention vs. Industry Marketing
$1 : $21
New Jersey spends $7.4M in tobacco prevention efforts and the tobacco industry spends $156.2M in marketing. For every $1 spent in prevention, Big Tobacco spends $21 in marketing.
Tax per pack of cigarettes
$2.70
E-cigarette tax: $1.60
State Rank: 12
Higher tobacco taxes are associated with decreases in tobacco use and increases in cessation and lower youth initiation.
Annual State Healthcare Costs due to Tobacco Use
$4.06 billion
Information updated Nov 2020. Please contact megan.boelter@tobacco21.org if you have suggested updates.