REGIONAL TOBACCO COLLABORATIVE
Merchant education is an essential part of tobacco control and prevention. The point of sale is the front line of defense for youth tobacco use. By educating the merchants on the age of sale and the proper way to check an I.D. we can help reduce youth tobacco use. As members of the Regional Substance Abuse Coalitions, you can help STOMP Out Youth Tobacco Use. This program is part of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control and is considered a best practice to help reduce the non-compliance rates in NJ. Below are some of the components to this program.
Tobacco Retailer Audits
The Tobacco Retailer Audits are conducted throughout the state of NJ to gather necessary data to help drive policy at the point of sale. Tobacco Free for a Healthy NJ manages the Regional Tobacco Collaboratives (RTC) which organize these audits. We focus our efforts in the low socioeconomic status municipalities to cover those most in need. At the RTCs, target municipalities are chosen and groups are formed to conduct the audits. Once the audits are completed a report is created to share with our members and any stakeholders that are interested in passing policy at the local level as it relates to the point of sale. We highly encourage you to use the Tobacco Retailer Audits & the Merchant Education as complimentary components to the comprehensive approach.
Merchant Education Materials
Below you will find downloadable documents to help prepare to educate the merchants of your region. You can download the responsible retailer pledge, merchant education script & educational materials for schools. To receive your stickers and palm cards to educate tobacco retailers on the new age of sale and the STOMP 21 Campaign in your target communities please fill out the appropriate order form at the bottom of this page. A regional Tobacco Free for a Healthy NJ coordinator will provide technical assistance to you and your coalitions to schedule and set-up tobacco retailer audits, to help pass policy that will reduce youth tobacco use and youth exposure to tobacco advertising.
To schedule audits and receive a list of tobacco retailers in your region, fill out the corresponding form for your region. A Regional Coordinator will contact you via e-mail with the necessary materials.
In the subject section please indicate the following:
STOMP 21 Merchant Card
Become member of Regional Tobacco Collaborative
Schedule Audits
STOMP 21 Stickers
Tobacco Retailer List