New Jersey Cancer Action Center

This Thursday, January 15, will mark 20 years since former Governor Richard Codey signed into law the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, landmark legislation that balked precedent and risked the unknown in service of New Jerseyans’ health, quality of life and ability to thrive. It paid off, bringing smoking rates down across the state and allowing businesses to thrive in a new landscape. Unfortunately, casinos were excluded from such progress, and their business and employees’ health have suffered as a result. Now, days away from a new administration, health advocates are calling on state leaders to finally—after two decades—close the casino loophole.

Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 49th annual Great American Smokeout by calling on elected officials across the state to do more to reduce tobacco use. The Great American Smokeout is a day for people who smoke or use any form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, to create a plan to quit.

Last night, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), NJ Citizen Action and the NJ Black Empowerment Coalition convened a roundtable discussion on the impacts of the budget reconciliation bill in front of Congress on Americans’ access to Medicaid and Marketplace coverage.

Earlier this week, the New Jersey State Assembly voted to advance a bill that seeks to create more stability for patients. The proposal (Assembly Bill 5217) would curb an unfair insurance practice that makes critical medication more expensive and access unpredictable. With its passage in committee, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are hopeful that the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee see the bill’s momentum as a call to action to take the final steps to pass and enact the necessary reforms.