Tobacco Documents Online

Description of N.J. GASP for NJDOH ASSIS7 aopli,ration. New Jersey Group Against Smoking Polluti-on (GASP) is a nonprofit, educational organization, granted•tax-exemptt status by the IRS. A•citizen action group, GASP works to secure smokefree air for nonsmokers and to ensure tobacco-free lives for children. GASP's 2,000 memberships are held by individuals, families, and organizati•ons. Most are in New Jersey; perhaps 20:G are elsewhere throughout the world', but primarily in the United States. GASP has acqu-fred enough memberships to support its work and regards its constituency as all nonsmokers. For 16•years New Jersey GASP. one of the most successful grassroots nonsmokers' advocacy groups in the worl:d, has pursued educational, policy, legislativeq and legal aactions tn eliminate smoking. A partial list includ'es: -supporting regulations to control smoking -supporting laws, local, state, and federal' to co rntrol smoking -supporting N.J. and NYC legislation to-eliminate chi-lde-en's access to tobacco -help,ing create nonsmoking,polici.es im-workplaces, hospi-tals- schools, elsewhere -blocking introduction of alternati•ve nicotine delivery systems -litigati,on for smokefree workplaces, schools, hospitals -art exhibits lampooning tobacco advertisi-ng. -innovative an,tiismoking education for youth -encouraging nonsmoking dlining, travel -emcouraging pharmacies to refuse to sell tobacco products -pro-testing tobacco-sponsored events -co-sponsoring U.S. boomerang team -demonstrating at tobacco companies and tobacco blllboard~s -forward;ing stockhodders' resolutions agai.nst tobacco marketing -providing information for pliaintiffs suing tobacco companies -comp•iling list of smokefree workplaces. dining, education, etc. -creating and distributing,handbooks, brochures, signs, other materials -hu•ndreds of media inter,views and appearances. GASP ' s successes can ihe measured by the number of c lean a i r laws, nonsmoking policies, and general publi,c attitude. New Jiersey GASP'liimits itself to tobacco-related issues. GASP's staff, board members, and other members are active in a variety of social change issues. New Jersey GASP is a centra'.- player in the pro-health, ant'i- I

tobacco lobby in New Jersey and'has been an active member of that communi.ty for more than a decade and a half- GASP reaches out with materials, di~splays, Qroqrams. conferences, art exhibits, media interviews, press releases, letters, meetings, etc. GASP has 16 years' history of maintaining a viable organization, invol'ved in most of the smoking. control acti-vities in New Jersey. GASP will assist ASSIST by partici-pating on commi-ttees, provi,ding materials and'information, sponsoring programs, metworking, etc. 2