New Jersey Assembly Bill A2012

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of electronic cigarette usage as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Impact

The introduction of A2012 is particularly relevant given the alarming trends in e-cigarette usage among adolescents. According to statistics, the prevalence of e-cigarette usage among high school students surged from 1.5% in 2011 to 11.7% in 2017. This significant increase has prompted public health officials to consider e-cigarette usage as a serious health concern. The legislation acknowledges the potential long-term implications of nicotine addiction on the developing brains of young people, which can lead to future substance use disorders.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2012 aims to combat the rising usage of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among middle and high school students by integrating education about their dangers into the health curriculum. Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, public school districts in New Jersey are mandated to deliver instruction concerning the negative health impacts, usage statistics, and potential for addiction associated with e-cigarettes. The bill outlines specific information to be covered, which includes the statistics on nicotine levels found in various e-cigarette products and how these products can lead to addiction to regular cigarettes and other substances.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support due to its potential to educate youth about the risks associated with e-cigarettes, there may be contentions regarding its implementation and enforcement across various school districts. Questions regarding resource allocation, curriculum changes, and how schools will comply with the new mandate are key points that need addressing. Additionally, the requirement for the Commissioner of Education to provide sample activities indicates an effort to ensure that education on this topic is not only mandated but also engaging and informative for students.