The Cape Atlantic Coalition for Health partners with Atlantic Prevention Resources (APR) in an effort to work on New Jersey’s Office of Tobacco Control Program Initiatives.  APR is the local lead for these projects in which the coalition assists as needed.  A variety of projects have occurred over the years consisting of advocacy to increase smoke free areas in our local communities.  In addition tobacco audits have occurred in an effort to collect information regarding locations of tobacco products and their marketing strategies.  Through Point-of-Sale strategies the goal is to develop stronger local policies to restrict minors’ access to tobacco products.

In November 2017, the legal age to purchase tobacco products and electronic smoking devices was raised to 21.  New Jersey is the third state to increase the age for tobacco products to 21.  Increasing the age to an older age makes it more difficult for youth to obtain tobacco products thus decreasing the likelihood that a person will develop a tobacco habit.

Projects…

Physician Projects

The Cape Atlantic Coalition for Health has worked with physicians in both Atlantic and Cape May County in regards to decreasing patients’ dependence on tobacco products.  The purpose of the project is to make quitting tobacco more of a focus in primary care offices.  Quitting tobacco products can prevent a number of diseases including heart disease, a variety of cancers, COPD, and more.  In addition, quality of life can be improved if a patient already has a chronic disease.  We look forward to continuing physician relationships in order to promote tobacco cessation.  If you are interested in the Cape Atlantic Coalition for Health working with your practice please feel free to contact us at any time.

References:

Tobacco Control.  New Jersey Department of Health.

Smoking & Tobacco Use.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Updated:  6/9/20