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September 2, 2004

Mayor Lauds High Compliance Rate, State-Local Partnership

Woodbridge Township has received recognition from the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services for its success in preventing the sale of tobacco products to underage persons, Mayor Frank G. Pelzman announced today.

During the 2004 inspection cycle in the Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement Program (T.A.S.E.) , Woodbridge achieved a 96% compliance rate in visits to 118 retail establishments. It was the seventh year in a row in which the Township achieved a compliance rate of 94% or higher.

The T.A.S.E. Program sends youth participants, ages 14 to 17, into randomly selected retail establishments in an attempt to purchase tobacco products. The youths are recruited from local high schools, undergo training by Woodbridge Township Health and Human Services Department personnel and are under supervision of a licensed health inspector. The program is paid for entirely through funds from the Federal/State Tobacco Settlement Fund.

“We are happy to receive this recognition because we are committed to keeping tobacco products out of the hands of our children,” said Mayor Pelzman. “This innovative program has helped us achieve great success in that area, and thanks to the state grant, we do not have to spend local taxpayers’ money.”

Merchants who illegally sell tobacco products to a youth or who do not display the mandatory age of sale signage automatically receive a court summons. Those found guilty are fined $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 plus a suspension of their state tobacco license for a third offense.

“The high compliance rate among merchants is a sign that the overall anti-smoking message is gaining ground,” said Dennis Green, Director of the Township’s Health and Human Services Department. “It is an excellent first step in helping us reduce the rate of tobacco use among young people in Woodbridge.”