What's New

May 23, 2008
State Smoking Restrictions for Private-Sector Worksites, Restaurants, and Bars in the United States, from 2004 and 2007

Critical Thinking about Advertising Helps Teens Avoid Alcohol Use

Studies have shown that peer pressure and alcohol advertising can make teens more likely to drink -- but a new study finds that teens who can understand alcohol ads' tactics and resist peer pressure are less likely to drink. "Our study found [teens'] ability to be critically aware of advertising as well as their ability to resist peer pressure... key skills for avoiding alcohol," says Dr. Jennifer A. Epstein, lead author and assistant professor of public health in the Division of Prevention and Health Behavior at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Read the full article at: Learning How to Say "No" to Alcohol Advertising and Peer Pressure Works

Younger Smokers May Have More Success at Quitting

Want to help people quit smoking? A new study from the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego, suggests getting to smokers when they're younger may produce the best results. "Most previous studies focused on smokers aged 35 and older who have smoked for 20 years or more," said John P. Pierce, Ph.D., director of UC San Diego's Cancer Prevention and Control Program. "That has led to an overemphasis on drug treatments to help cessation, whereas this study emphasized the importance of implementing a smoke free home if a smoker wants to quit successfully." The study appears in the January 2, 2008, edition of the American Journal of Public Health.

Read the full article at: http://cancer.ucsd.edu/AboutUs/News/ stories/Pierce_YoungSmoke.asp

The American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2007 report tracks progress on key tobacco control policies at the state and federal level and assigns grades to tobacco control laws and regulations enacted as of January 1, 2008. New Jersey was recognized for having the highest cigarette tax in the country at $2.575 per pack. View the entire report at State Of Tobacco Control

October 29, 2007

Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, today published the 2007 Street Gang Survey. The document marks the third gang survey conducted by the New Jersey State Police in the past six years. With each version, the questionnaire and survey administration methods have evolved and improved, but the original purpose of the NJSP Street Gang Survey has remained unchanged: to furnish policy makers and the general public with a better understanding of the environment in which today's gangs operate. The 2007 Street Gang Survey document is available @ NJ Gang Survey

New Jersey Student Health Survey

Results are available for the 2005 survey of student self reported health behaviors. High school students report reductions in the use of tobacco products, binge drinking and carrying of weapons, while seat belt usage has improved. These reports can be used to raise awareness concerning behavioral norms among in school youth and to build support for prevention and intervention efforts.