After the Nebraska Legislative session was delayed due to COVID-19, the senators reconvened and LB840, which adds e-cigarettes to the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act, was among the legislation passed and signed into law by Governor Ricketts. The change will go into effect on November 14. The legislation includes an exemption for those meeting the definition of a vape shop, but that exemption will not apply to Lincoln or Grand Island, because of existing local ordinances. Read more on LB840 here.
Nebraska becomes the 20th state to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in existing smoke-free provisions. And only the 11th, that prohibits use in non-hospitality workplaces, restaurants, bars and gaming facilities. Here is the map/list with more details.
While in session Nebraska legislators passed LB1064, which raises the minimum for tobacco products (including electronic nicotine delivery systems) from 19 to 21. Starting October 1, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. This change aligns with the federal increase that passed last year. Nebraska becomes the 33rd state to raise the age to 21. Read more on LB1064 here.
A new study from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids shows that over 60% of public schools in 30 cities across the country are within 1,000 feet, or about two city blocks, of a tobacco retailer. Read more here.
On August 1, the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline switched vendors and as a part of that the Quitline Fax Referral form and fax number changed as well. The new fax number for healthcare providers to use is 1-800-261-6259. The updated Quitline Fax Referral form is available on the Tobacco Free Nebraska Healthcare Providers webpage.
Tobacco Point-of-Sale
Each year the tobacco industry spends billions on marketing and promotion, trying to attract consumers’ attention and gain their loyalty. On a new webpage, TFN focuses on tobacco marketing in the retail setting and allows the public access to dive into what the data on this subject looks like in Nebraska. Read more here.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) currently holds the position that the only means of avoiding health effects and eliminating indoor environmental tobacco smoke exposure is to ban all smoking activity inside and near buildings. This information can be helpful in discussing the importance of implementing comprehensive tobacco-free campus policies with businesses. Read more here.
Research published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine examines the national outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product-use associated lung injury (EVALI). After peaking in September 2019, the number of cases and deaths have declined. This study describes pathological findings in autopsy and biopsy tissues submitted to CDC for evaluation in suspected cases. The study findings reinforce that a diagnosis of EVALI should still be considered in pertinent cases. Read more here.
An analysis published in Tobacco Control has concluded that tobacco tax increases are less likely to be regressive when accompanied by a broad framework of side measures that enhance the capacity for low-income smokers to connect with resources and quit tobacco. Read more here.
Research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health supports the effectiveness of flavored cigarette bans at reducing cigarette use among young people. The findings also suggest a substitution effect between flavored tobacco products when menthol cigarettes stayed on the market. Read more here.
Geri’s Texting Tip
Geri has late-stage COPD from smoking. She hopes to get accepted for a lung transplant before it’s too late. Geri explains that she talks to her adult children every day because she doesn’t know how much time she has left. Find more Tips® videos here.
National survey data reviewed and published in Behavioral Medicine show that despite having the highest rates of tobacco use, bisexual men and women have some of the lowest rates of tobacco cessation treatment-seeking. Read more here.
Research published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine identifies legal strategies that are used to hide or pass preemption policies through an analysis of bills passed from 2014-2018 across five primarily public health areas, including tobacco control. Read more here.
According to research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, social media campaigns are a promising e-cigarette education strategy to reach youth, directly and potentially through peer-to-peer sharing. Read more here.
According to research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the annual mean per capita tobacco product waste (TPW) cost for the 30 cities studied was $6.46 million. The total TPW cost for all 30 cities combined was $262.5 million per year. Read more here.
The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline offers free, confidential support for those interested in quitting tobacco while allowing callers to maintain safe social distancing. Cessation support is available 24/7 by phone and free nicotine replacement therapy is mailed directly to the caller’s home. Fliers are available here:
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