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TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale which would prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes in New Jersey was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 37-0.

“As more and more information comes to light about the health effects of smoking, tobacco companies rely increasingly on sales gimmicks to reach potential customers,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “However, where we once had cartoon spokespeople like Joe Camel and high-profile movie placements, we’re now seeing the tobacco industry turn to flavored cigarettes to bring in customers while they’re young. We need to outlaw this latest tactic from Big Tobacco, to allow our kids to see past the marketing gimmicks and realize that cigarettes kill.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes in New Jersey was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee by a vote of 6-0.

“Flavored cigarettes are an insidious marketing ploy from the tobacco industry to hook kids while they’re young,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “Just as we’re phasing out the cartoon spokespeople and high-profile movie placement that once targeted an early generation of potential smokers, flavored cigarettes are becoming more popular, and drawing in the next batch of customers. We need to block this threat before our kids are lured into a lifetime habit that will eventually kill them.”