Problem/Objective: On April 15, 2006, New Jersey enacted a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law. According to regulations, local health departments are responsible for enforcement statewide. This study presents the first data on enforcement of smoke-free public policies in New Jersey.

Methods: During summer 2006, a web-based survey was sent to all local Health Departments (n=118). Information was collected on three types of workplace locations: bars, restaurants and all other indoor workplaces. Content areas included: complaints received, compliance checks, barriers to compliance, and citations issued.

Results: The total number of complaints received was 261. The highest number of complaints was related to smoking in bars (43.3%) followed by indoor workplaces (39.5%) and restaurants (17.2%). A total of 280 compliance checks were conducted in bars, 1,186 in restaurants, and 269 in all other indoor workplaces. No major barriers to compliance were identified by the respondents. A total of 31 citations were issued from 3 health departments and the vast majority were issued to bar owners (83.9%). Fewer citations (9.7%) were issued to restaurants and other indoor workplaces (6.5%).

Conclusions: Based on data collected from local health officers, there has been a relatively smooth transition to NJ's smoke-free air act. Restaurants seem to be adjusting best to the new law while bars and other indoor workplaces generated more complaints of non-compliance and received more citations. Recommendations included increasing support for enforcement at bars and other indoor workplaces that may not be frequented as often by local health departments.