Updated Resources Available from TFN
Three infographics and one fact sheet have been updated and are available on the Tobacco Free Nebraska website under the Understand the Burden of Tobacco section.
- What’s Tobacco Costing Nebraska
- Youth Tobacco Use in Nebraska
- Going Smokefree in Your Home
- Nebraska Tobacco Facts – fact sheet
Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General Released in January
The new Surgeon General’s Report highlights the latest in scientific evidence on the health benefits of quitting smoking, as well as proven treatments and strategies to help people successfully quit smoking. Read the report here.
A Partner Toolkit, complete with media and communication resources from the Report, including fact sheets, a video and a feature article, can be found here. The resource includes ideas on how to share findings with stakeholders and resources for different audiences.
FDA Finalizes Policy on Cartridge-Based E-Cigarettes Flavors and Enforcement
On January 2, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a policy prioritizing enforcement against unauthorized flavored e-cigarette products, including fruit and mint flavors. Under this policy, companies that do not cease the manufacture, distribution and sale of unauthorized products within 30 days risk enforcement actions by FDA. Read more here.
On February 6, the FDA said they are ready to begin prioritizing enforcement against certain illegally marketed electronic products. Read more here.
NYAAO Shows Nebraska’s Young Adults Appreciate Smoke-Free Housing
The 2018 Nebraska Young Adult Alcohol Opinion (NYAAO) Survey asked respondents if they would like to choose a smoke-free rental house or apartment over a place that allows smoking, with other amenities being equal. A vast majority of young adults (19-25 year olds) strongly agreed with this statement (85.7%). And most (73.3%) strongly agreed with this statement. Read more here (smoke-free housing question on page 66).
New Minimum Age for Sale of Tobacco
Nebraska’s legal minimum age for purchase or use of tobacco products is 19 as of January 1, 2020. The Nebraska Attorney General released a memo on this here.
In December 2019, the U.S. Senate voted to approve a $1.4 trillion spending package. Part of that package included amendments to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which raises the federal minimum legal sales age for tobacco products from 18 to 21. Read more from the FDA Center for Tobacco Products here.
PHLC Provides Resources on Recent Federal Changes to Tobacco Control
Resources from the Public Health Law Center (PHLC) help explain the changes to tobacco control at a federal level. Read more here. Watch the recorded PHLC webinar, Federal Tobacco 21 and the FDA Flavors Guidance, here.
Update: CDC Youth Engagement Guide
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health has published an updated Best Practices User Guide: Youth Engagement in Tobacco Prevention and Control. The guide can be found here.
Public Comments Sought on Health Equity in Tobacco Control Practices
The CDC Office on Smoking and Health is seeking public comment to inform future activities that achieve health equity in the advancement of tobacco control practices. The information gathered will be used to inform activities that support tobacco control programming. Read more here.
My Vaping Mistake: Mental Health
FDA Expands “Real Cost” Youth E-Cigarette Prevention Campaign
FDA has expanded its youth vaping prevention campaign to include stories from addicted teens in its new video series called “My Vaping Mistake.” The videos feature teens’ true stories of the physical and emotional effects of e-cigarette addiction. The four videos were released in January on youth-focused channels and amplified through the “Real Cost” campaign social media. Read more here.
Roosevelt: “I Always Thought Smoking Just Messed Up Your Lungs…”
Roosevelt’s Tip from Former Smokers® Ad
Roosevelt never thought at 45-years-old he would have a heart attack due to smoking. In honor of National Heart Month, watch and share Roosevelt’s Tips From Former Smokers® ad where he talks about the impact his smoking-related heart attack has had on his life.
Community-Led Action to Reduce Menthol Use Among African Americans
African Americans are disproportionately affected by the burden of tobacco, and menthol cigarettes play a key role in this. In 2015, a Minnesota county health department and an African American community-based organization partnered to educate and engage the community on menthol and its role in tobacco-related health disparities. Read more here.
FTC Releases Updated Data on Tobacco Company Marketing Expenditures
The Federal Trade Commission has released data on the marketing expenditures from the major cigarette and smokeless tobacco companies in 2018. The reports found that companies spent $9.1 billion on advertising and promotion, or over $1 million per hour. This is down slightly from 2017. Read more here.
New Product: What Are Puff Bars?
Puff Bars mimic popular products like JUUL and copycat e-cigarettes, but are designed for one-time use. This product comes in many youth-appealing flavors, but are not subject to the new federal policy regulating flavored e-cigarettes. Read more here.
ANR Smokefree Lists & Maps: Grand Island and Lincoln Make the List
The Americans for Nonsmokers Rights Foundation has released their most recent update to the lists and maps of U.S. municipalities with smokefree laws and two Nebraska cities are now included! See that map here and all of the updated lists here.
Free NRT Continues Through the Quitline
New promotional fliers are available to download and share with partners: