Dedicated resources from the tobacco settlement funds will be used to implement a comprehensive tobacco control program in the State. The overall mission and goals of this program are as follows:

The Mission of the Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is to decrease morbidity and mortality among New Jerseyans associated with the use of tobacco and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. We will accomplish our mission by working with new and existing partners.

1. To decrease the acceptability of tobacco use among all populations.
   1. Increase awareness of negative effects of smoking in community and personal settings.
      
   2. Increase the number of local policies and ordinances restricting tobacco use and access in public places.
      
   3. Increase the number of non-smoking workplaces in New Jersey including restaurants and bars.
      
   4. Increase the number of schools with smoke-free campuses and smoke-free school sponsored events.
      
   5. Increase the number of and effectiveness of youth and school- based programs that are designed to prevent tobacco use.
      
   6. Reduce non-compliance of local vendors with State and Federal laws prohibiting sale of tobacco products to minors to 20% by FY2001.
      
   7. Evaluate effectiveness of strategies to reach target and change knowledge, attitudes, and behavior and allow for revisions.

2. To decrease the initiation of tobacco use by youth under 18 years of age and youth 18-24 years of age.
   1. Increase awareness and knowledge of the negative aspects of tobacco and tobacco industry manipulation through strategic marketing that targets youth through age 24.
      
   2. Increase the number of publicly funded community activities aimed at decreasing tobacco use among youth through age 24.
      
   3. Reduce non-compliance of local vendors with State and Federal laws prohibiting sale of tobacco products to minors to 20% by FY2001.
      
   4. Increase overall number of merchants who do not carry tobacco or tobacco-related products.
      
   5. Increase the number of youth and school-based programs that are designed to prevent tobacco use which enhance or complement the mandated tobacco core curriculum.
      
   6. Evaluate effectiveness of strategies to reach target and change knowledge, attitudes, and behavior and allow for revisions.

3. To increase the number of youth and adult tobacco users who initiate treatment.
   1. Increase the number of organizations offering nicotine treatment programs.
      
   2. Increase awareness of the availability of nicotine treatment programs for: (1) general population of smokers; (2) high risk sub-population groups.
      
   3. Increase the number of individuals accessing nicotine treatment programs.
      
   4. Evaluate effectiveness of strategies to reach target and change knowledge, attitudes, and behavior and allow for revisions.

4. To decrease exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
   1. Increase awareness of harmful effects of smoking in community and personal settings.
      
   2. Increase awareness of harmful effects of ETS on non-smokers (including, but not limited to children, pregnant women, seniors, and asthmatics).
      
   3. Increase number of local policies and ordinances restricting tobacco use and access in public places.
      
   4. Enforce the local policies and ordinances restricting tobacco use and access in public places.
      
   5. Increase the number of non-smoking workplaces in New Jersey including restaurants and bars.
      
   6. Increase the number of schools and colleges with smoke-free campuses and smoke-free school sponsored events.
      
   7. Evaluate effectiveness of strategies to reach target and change knowledge, attitudes, and behavior and allow for revisions.

5. To reduce disparities related to tobacco use and its effects among different population groups.
   1. Increase knowledge of minority populations that they are the targets of tobacco marketing.
      
   2. Ensure that community tobacco control programs include minority groups and target minority populations and groups at highest risk.
      
   3. Ensure that youth/school-based tobacco control programs are appropriate for all populations including minorities and groups at highest risk.
      
   4. Evaluate effectiveness of strategies to reach target and change knowledge, attitudes, and behavior and allow for revisions.

These goals and objectives specify the areas targeted for intervention at a policy level. The component strategies of a comprehensive tobacco control program will be designed to achieve these goals. The component strategies of a comprehensive tobacco control program will be designed to achieve these goals. Each of these goals and objectives is measurable and will be quantified when appropriate baseline data is identified and/or developed. In order to achieve these goals and objectives, we need to ensure that policymakers and community leaders are informed of and involved in the process.

This document may only be reproduced in its entirety. No portion of this document may be reproduced without the permission of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. © 1999 New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

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