For Immediate Release:
August 13, 2020

HACKENACK, N.J.—At the August 12, 2020, public meeting of the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Resolution #575-20 was passed unanimously by the Board. This resolution, sponsored by Freeholder Thomas J. Sullivan, is aimed at bringing awareness to the dangers of vaping and other electronic smoking devices to local governments and schools.

The primary goal of this resolution, a copy of which is being forwarded to all municipalities in Bergen County, is to encourage local governments throughout Bergen County to develop their own ordinances to address the dangers of vaping and provide educational resources. Additionally, the resolution encourages all Bergen County schools to develop policies to educate students about the dangers of vaping and provide judgement-free addiction and cessation resources.

Freeholder Sullivan coordinated this resolution with the help of the Children’s Aid and Family Services of New Jersey, located in Fair Lawn. This organization has been promoting this cause throughout the county and can provide any town or school district with free educational resources, including their powerful presentation entitled “Don’t Get Vaped In” which can be modified for any audience and is also free of charge.

Additionally, plans are underway to host a community roundtable of local government leaders in the coming weeks, hosted by Freeholder Sullivan and staff members of Children’s Aid and Family Services, to promote the resolution and its ideals. Details will be forthcoming when finalized.

“This resolution will hopefully be a springboard to get as many municipalities as possible on board with this message,” said Freeholder Sullivan. “I believe we have a responsibility to educate everyone about the dangers of vaping, but to do it in a way that allows each local government in Bergen County to tailor the message to their community.”

“The most important thing is spreading the message to as wide an audience as we can,” said Ellen Elias, Senior Vice President of Prevention and Community Services for Children’s Aid and Family Services. “Tom was instrumental in getting this resolution passed. He showed tremendous compassion for our cause and we couldn’t have asked for a better advocate. We are grateful the Freeholder Board took this action, and also to have the support of County Executive Jim Tedesco. They all really care about Bergen County and it shows.”

“This resolution was important, but it’s only the first step,” added Freeholder Sullivan. “We will continue to get this message out and bring awareness. I can’t thank my colleagues on the Board and the County Executive enough for working with me to bring this to fruition.”

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