Coalition Targets Underage Tobacco Use

WILDWOOD – The Regional Cape Atlantic Bridge Coalition is working on a campaign aimed at the prevention of underage tobacco use in Cape May and Atlantic counties.  
By sending information to retailers about the responsibilities of selling tobacco to minors, the group hopes to foster a sense of responsibility and awareness of the importance of preventing underage tobacco use.
In the most recent PRIDE survey, results revealed that high school student tobacco use doubled from 2013 to 2015 among ninth grade students in Cape May County and increased across all ages surveyed.
“People believe that our youth are no longer smoking,” stated Kim Mounce from the Cape Atlantic Bridge Coalition in a release, “But this survey shows that it is not the case in South Jersey.”
Since the New Jersey Smokefree Air Act of 2006 was passed, funding for tobacco education has dwindled. 
“We believe that this lack of funding for tobacco prevention has led to the spike in tobacco use in South Jersey,” stated Laurie Smith of the Cape Atlantic Bridge Coalition. “And our youths believe that vaping and e-cigarettes are acceptable alternatives,” she added.
“There are currently some new state proposals aimed to increase the age for tobacco purchase and regulate e-cigarettes and vape shops, but more is needed,” stated Katie Faldetta, Cape Assist acting director. “The Cape Atlantic Bridge Coalition’s efforts to disseminate this informational brochure, full of current and important information, to tobacco retailers is a good first step in helping retail establishments and their employees reduce the number of underage smokers.“
For information on how individuals can join the Cape Atlantic Bridge Coalition, call 522-5960 or email kim@capeassist.org.
The Cape Atlantic Bridge Coalition is a regional coalition comprised of members from the Cape May County Healthy Coalition and Join Together Atlantic County Coalition.
Members contribute knowledge and resources to target underage drinking and tobacco use as well as marijuana and prescription drug misuse.
The Healthy Community Coalition is a community initiative of Cape Assist. Funds are provided by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.