History

In 1974 a group of citizens, whose personal experiences convinced them that smoking harms nonsmokers too, founded the grassroots non-profit New Jersey GASP, the Group Against Smoking Pollution. Over the course of 35 years, GASP has been dedicated entirely to tobacco control.

We are one of the world's oldest and most successful nonsmokers' organizations, and recognized internationally as a leading expert in emerging trends in tobacco control policy. As we expanded our reach beyond New Jersey's borders, the GASP acronym changed to Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy in 2009. We serve as a worldwide informational resource to jurisdictions and the public-at-large.

The Tobacco Control Policy and Legal Resource Center of GASP provides technical assistance to hundreds of legislators, policy makers, and citizens each year. GASP's attorney, Associate Director and Staff are globally recognized as tobacco control experts. GASP is one of the only nonprofit organizations in the state dedicated solely to tobacco control.

The need for our Center became clear in 1990, when East Brunswick passed a cigarette vending machine ban. The Township Council insisted that an addictive, cancer-causing product, illegal to sell to children, should not be dispensed like chewing gum and snack crackers. In response, the tobacco industry challenged East Brunswick in court. Other New Jersey towns that passed an ordinance to control tobacco sales to minors were also sued by the vendors.

New Jersey GASP was an integral part of the legal process, providing information, expert testimony, and public support. New Jersey GASP submitted an amicus curiae brief defending East Brunswick. In 1994, these legal battles were decided by the New Jersey Supreme Court, in favor of East Brunswick.

Soon after this court decision, we assisted hundreds of municipalities with ordinances restricting tobacco sales and marketing to minors, tobacco use by minors, with some towns eliminating smoking in workplaces and/or restaurants. To learn more about GASP projects prior to 2006, visit our Legislative History page. In 2006, New Jersey enacted our comprehensive Smoke-Free Air Act. The casino gaming floors are exempt, as are a few grandfathered smoking lounges and new tobacco retail establishments. See our dedicated webpages on the SFAA and its exemptions.

GASP continues to focus on tobacco control initiatives, especially for smokefree gaming venues, grown out of the casino floor exemption in our state law. In addition, we focus on emerging trends in tobacco control, such as smokefree housing, smokefree cars when children are present, flavored tobacco, hookah smoking, e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products.

Starting in 2009, we are also collaborating on a statewide diabetes and smoking prevention integration project, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control. In addition, we also plan to serve as a resource on implementation of the new FDA regulations on tobacco, as well as on the new Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act which took effect in January 2009.

Our many successes over thirty-five years include:

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Last update: 8/3/10