New Jersey Smokefree Air Act (NJ SFAA)

The NJ SFAA prohibits smoking in essentially all workplaces and places open to the public, effective April 15, 2006. In 2007, the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (NJ DHSS) promulgated regulations to help implement the 2006 NJ SFAA.

This section contains information on the provisions of the law, enforcement, implementation, using local laws to enhance and augment the law, background, other assistance, etc. You can see a list of all the pages in all the subsections, and go directly to any page, from the table of contents, below.

Summaries, Text, and Adopted Rules

• Synopsis of of the NJ SFAA
• NJ State Laws at a Glance
• Complete description of exceptions to the NJ SFAA, including waiver applications
• Full text of the NJ SFAA, P. L. 2005, Chapter 383, N.J.S. 26:3D-55 et seq. (on the New Jersey Legislature website)
• NJ DHSS regulations as adopted on May 21, 2007 in the NJ Register
• NJ DHSS addendum to regulations adopted on October 15, 2007 in the NJ Register
• NJ DHSS regulations adopted on May 21, 2007 and amended on October 15, 2007 in the NJ Register (combined)
• NJ SFAA and NJ DHSS regulations that restrict outdoor smoking
• Using local laws to enhance and augment the NJ SFAA

Enforcement

• enforcement agencies
• evidence of smoking
• exemptions
• complaint form
• anonymous request for investigation form
• notice for violators (to be used by person in charge)

Air Monitoring Study Results Pre- and Post-NJ SFAA

In 2005 and 2006, air measurements of secondhand smoke sized particulate matter were taken in bars, restaurants and casinos in more than 50 sites, in 31 of New Jersey’s 21 counties, by Roswell Park Cancer Institute, New Jersey GASP, and the American Cancer Society. The 2005 study showed a higher level of matter than was recommended by the EPA. The 2006 study showed a safe level everywhere except the casinos, which remain at the same horrendous levels for workers and patrons today, since casinos continue to be exempt from the NJ SFAA. Learn more in GASP’s Casinos & Gaming – Health and Safety section.

Helping people to quit smoking

Visit our webpage with smoking cessation information and resources for residents of New Jersey.

Signs, Materials

• Sign Posting is required under the NJ SFAA. Read the requirements.
• The New Jersey Department of Health’s Smoke-Free Air Act website has brochures, fact sheets, signs; to go there, click here.

Local Authority Resolution Project (2004-2005)

• GASP’s Local Authority Resolution Project encouraged the state legislature to pass the smokefree air act. There were over 350 official resolutions passed from town councils, state and local organizations supporting the NJ SFAA.