ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1258

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 12, 1997

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1258.

      This bill requires the board of education of each school district to make and enforce regulations to prohibit the use of smokeless tobacco, in addition to the existing ban on smoking tobacco, anywhere in its buildings except as part of a classroom instruction or a theatrical production. This prohibition on the use of smokeless tobacco would also apply to school grounds, including school athletic fields. The bill further provides that the State or any agency or political subdivision thereof may suggest guidelines for rules governing the use of smokeless tobacco on the premises of a school, college, university or professional training school which may be adopted by the persons who have control of the premises, but in no case shall they be mandatory.

      This bill is intended to counter the increased use among teenagers and younger children of smokeless tobacco products, such as snuff and chewing tobacco, which can have serious health consequences for their users.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996-97 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.