SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 602

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 15, 1997

      The Senate Health Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 602.

      This bill requires the board of education of each school district and the appropriate governing body which has control of the administration of a nonpublic elementary or secondary school, to make and enforce regulations to prohibit the use of smokeless 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 other schools, a college, a university or a 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.

      Current law prohibits the smoking of tobacco anywhere in the buildings of a public elementary or secondary school and in classrooms, lecture halls and auditoriums of any other school, college, university or professional training school.