Why Is This Important?

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, leads to disease and disability, and harms nearly every organ of the body.[https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/index.html ^1^]

Definition

Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who smoke cigarettes every day or some days

Data Sources

• Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health
  (http://www.nj.gov/health/chs/njbrfs/)
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.html)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

Although New Jersey's smoking rates have decreased since its Master Settlement Agreement-funded programs were initiated, more than one million New Jersey adults continue to smoke. People with fewer years of formal education report higher rates of tobacco use compared to the general population. Comprehensive and free quitting services are needed to help New Jersey smokers quit and ensure a decline in tobacco use rates among all population groups.

What Is Being Done?

The [http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/tobacco/ Office of Tobacco Control] at the New Jersey Department of Health and its partners use comprehensive programs to prevent the initiation of tobacco use among young people, to help tobacco users quit, to eliminate nonsmokers' exposure to secondhand smoke, and to reduce tobacco-related disparities. These programs include free quitting services, school- and community-based prevention programs and education regarding the [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2004/Bills/PL05/383_.HTM New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act].

Available Services

The New Jersey Quitline and New Jersey's online quitting program New Jersey QuitNet offer assistance in quitting tobacco use to New Jersey adults and teens. Referrals can also be made to New Jersey Quitcenters (low-cost face-to-face counseling clinics). For services and information call the New Jersey Quitline at 1-866-NJ-STOPS or visit New Jersey's online tobacco cessation support program at http://www.nj.quitnet.com.

More Resources

NJDOH Office of Tobacco Control: [http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/tobacco/] More information on the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey is available at [http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/njbrfs/]

Health Program Information

To receive more information about tobacco prevention and control programs in New Jersey, call the Office of Tobacco Control at (609) 984-3317. For information on quitting smoking, call the New Jersey Quitline at 1-866-NJ-STOPS or visit New Jersey's online tobacco cessation support program at [http://www.njquitline.org/].

Footnote References

1. CDC, [https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/index.html About Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking], 5/15/24.