While I do not disagree, there needs to be a caveat. In NJ, no supermarket or convenience store can distribute shopping bags, paper or plastic.
For bulk shopping, its not a problem, as I have now accumulated about 30 of the burlap/fabric shopping bags. But the quick trips in and out, where you are most likely to forget your bag, you either are forced to spend another $1, to purchase a new bag in the store, or try to fumble with your items without dropping them. At least let stores provide paper bags.
The real dumb part of this law is that it only applies (for the most part) to stores that sell food. I can go to any retail store in the mall, buy whatever, and get a shopping bag.