Content analysis and key informant interviews to examine community response to the purchase, possession, and/or use of tobacco by minors.

The aim of this study was to identify and describe local ordinances in New Jersey that make it illegal for minors to purchase, possess, and/or use tobacco (PPU). A coding instrument was formulated and content analysis of each ordinance was conducted between March 1999 andJanuary 2002. Additionally, key informant interviews with community officials were conducted by telephone between September 2000 and February 2002 to collect qualitative information on implementation and enforcement. Content analysis of identified ordinances assessed when the ordinance was enacted, specific laws and clauses included, enforcing party, area of jurisdiction, and penalties associated with a citation. Key informant interviews assessed the catalyst for enacting the ordinance, penalties, enforcement activity, and method of tracking citations. As of January 2002, 48 municipalities in New Jersey had passed mandates banning minor purchase, possession, and/or use of tobacco. Of the 48 ordinances reviewed, 71% were passed during or after 1998. Nearly all of the ordinances (94%) included prohibited minor usage of tobacco, 77% prohibited minor possession of tobacco and 23% prohibited minor purchase of tobacco. In over 80% of communities, municipal police departments were responsible for enforcement. Two out of 35 communities reached for interview reported having a formal system for tracking enforcement or citations. The results illustrate that local PPU ordinances in New Jersey vary widely both in principle and in practice, suggesting that such ordinances may be too heterogeneous and lacking in cohesion to have any impact on youth smoking.