2026 State of Tobacco Control Report
The American Lung Association’s 2026 State of Tobacco Control report is now available. This report highlights the impact of recent federal tobacco control cutbacks, evaluates progress on state tobacco control policies over the past year, and shows that no state received all A grades, underscoring the need for stronger action.
View Nebraska’s grades here.
NEW! NACDD’s Tobacco Resource Library
The newly launched Tobacco Resource Library from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is designed to support public health professionals in tobacco control and prevention efforts. The library includes:
- General Resources: Evidence-based guides, data, and best practices to strengthen statewide and community-level tobacco prevention efforts.
- Disability Inclusion: Resources promoting accessible tobacco prevention for people with disabilities.
- Health Systems Change: Tools and strategies for embedding tobacco dependence treatment across health care systems.
- Insurance Coverage: Practical guidance to expand and improve access to comprehensive cessation coverage.
Explore the library, utilize its resources in your programs, and share it widely with colleagues and partners committed to advancing tobacco control.
Truth Initiative: Most young adult nicotine users want to quit in 2026
About two-thirds (67%) of young adult nicotine users ages 18–24 plan to quit for the new year, according to new Truth Initiative survey data. Most reported that their top reason for quitting was to improve their mental and physical health.
These results show a strong desire to quit nicotine among young adults, who have the highest prevalence of vaping nicotine compared to any other age group. This year’s data demonstrate an increased determination to quit compared to last year, when 48% of young adults who vape resolved to quit.
NEW! Take Down Tobacco Day (April 1, 2026) Resources
Take Down Tobacco Day National Day of Action is quickly approaching on April 1, 2026. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has developed new resources to help your organization participate, such as banners, posters, social media graphics, fact sheets, and more.
Use these materials to help plan your Take Down Tobacco Day event, educate your community, and make your event or activity stand out.
NEW! Public Health Law Center: Zoning & Commercial Tobacco Prevention
The Public Health Law Center developed a new resource titled Zoning & Commercial Tobacco Prevention as a starting point for jurisdictions exploring how zoning can support commercial tobacco prevention.
Land use regulation is complex, and local governments vary widely in their powers and regulatory procedures both across and within states. Because zoning law is highly localized, developing a uniform model policy—such as those the Center has created for tobacco retail licensing—is generally impractical. This resource provides background information on the intersection of zoning and commercial tobacco prevention; it is not a model zoning ordinance for regulating commercial tobacco.
Health and Economic Benefits of Raising Cigarette Tax
A report prepared by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids provides evidence that tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective strategies to reduce smoking and other tobacco use, especially among youth. Tobacco tax increases have also been a reliable source of revenue for governments while reducing health care costs, including state Medicaid costs.
The report details the extensive health and economic benefits to each state from increasing its cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack. If every state and the District of Columbia did so, they would collectively:
- Prevent 231,600 kids from smoking;
- Prompt 860,300 adults to quit smoking within the first year;
- Prevent 275,400 premature, smoking-caused deaths;
- Save $14.3 billion in long-term health care costs, including $363 million in Medicaid costs in the first five years; and
- Raise over $6 billion in new revenue in the first year alone.
Tobacco Prevention and Control Partner Successes & Updates
Tobacco Free Buffalo County Coalition has rebranded to B-TAP (Buffalo County-Tobacco Awareness Prevention) coalition to better align with their mission and connect with the community. More information about B-TAP’s work can be found here.
Do you have a success or update to share with the Nebraska tobacco prevention and control community? Fill out this form for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter.
FDA Updates
FDA posted meeting materials in preparation for the virtual Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee meeting to discuss modified risk tobacco product applications submitted by Swedish Match USA, Inc. for 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products. Meeting materials are available on the 2026 TPSAC Meeting Materials and Information page.- FDA has issued a Federal Register notice announcing a roundtable discussion with small ENDS manufacturers on premarket application submissions, set to take place on Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET. The discussion aims to solicit input on premarket tobacco product application submissions for ENDS products. Event details can be found here.
- FDA posted new materials related to the modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) applications submitted by Swedish Match USA, Inc. for 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products. The documents are available on the Swedish Match USA, Inc. MRTP application webpage. This is the final set of application materials.
- FDA sent a warning letter to Beach Weekend Management LLC dba Nic and Jet Fuel for marketing unauthorized nicotine energy drinks.
🌟 Resource of the Month 🌟
Maternal Health Care Provider - Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Informational Flyer
This informational flyer for health care providers in any field, but specifically maternal health, walks through the 5-As for screening for tobacco use, when to screen, and how to submit a referral to the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline.
Download and view this resource here, or order for FREE on the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Order Form.
Check out Tobacco Free Nebraska’s other cessation resources at the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Order Form.
Marie W.
Marie lives in New York and started smoking in high school with her friends. They would congregate regularly to smoke the cigarettes they took from family members. Marie smoked for 40 years, although she tried several times to stop. She would quit smoking for up to 9 months at a time, but something—an issue at work or a problem with the kids—would inevitably trigger a relapse.
In 1993, in her early 40s, Marie was diagnosed with Buerger’s disease, a disorder linked to tobacco use that causes blood vessels in the hands and feet to become blocked and can result in infection or gangrene. Over time, parts of Marie’s body, such as her feet, fingertips, and lower legs, required amputation. Marie has been smoke-free since 2006.
Providers can refer patients using the online web referral option or the updated fax referral form. Visit QuitNow.ne.gov/providers to access tools, resources, and education modules, plus the web and fax referrals for providers ready to help patients quit.
Nebraska Statewide Quarterly Coalition Meeting
February 25, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30a.m. CT
Tobacco Free Nebraska is hosting a virtual State Coalition Meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2025, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. CT/8:30-10:00 a.m. MT.
Nebraska Tobacco Disparities Partnership
March 4, 2026 | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT
The Nebraska Tobacco Disparities Partnership is a vibrant network of people and organizations from across the state that focuses on reducing tobacco-related health disparities. The group works to provide the information, resources and support that these populations need to prevent youth from using tobacco, and to help current tobacco users quit.
Quit Tobacco Week Workgroup
March 18, 2026 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. CT
Quit Tobacco Week will be held November 15-21, 2026. It will culminate on Thursday, November 19, for the Great American Smokeout. The goals of Quit Tobacco Week are to encourage community support, raise awareness of the importance of quitting tobacco, and celebrate and support Nebraskans on their quitting journeys. Healthcare providers, businesses, and community partners are encouraged to host cessation events and initiatives. This workgroup will help support Quit Tobacco Week by creating a space for partners to connect and share ideas, identifying opportunities for collaboration, developing communication tools, and more to promote tobacco cessation in Nebraska.
Tobacco Cessation and Behavioral Health Workgroup
April 20, 2026 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. CT
At this Tobacco Cessation and Behavioral Health Workgroup Meeting, participants will discuss the Nebraska Behavioral Health Facility and Tobacco-Free Policy Survey Report 2024 in greater detail to better understand how to implement real-world changes based on the insights gained.
Upcoming Holidays, Monthly Health Observances and Awareness Days
March 2026
- Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
- Save Your Vision Month
- National Developmental Disabilities Month
- National Kidney Month
- World Teen Mental Wellness Day, March 2, 2026
- World Birth Defects Day, March 3, 2026
- National Dentists Day, March 6, 2026
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week, March 8-14, 2026
- National Sleep Awareness Week, March 8-14, 2026
- Brain Awareness Week, March 16-22, 2026
- World Kidney Day, March 12, 2026
- No Smoking Day, March 13, 2026
- Academy Awards, March 15, 2026
- National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-22, 2026
- St Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2026
- National Certified Nurses Day, March 19, 2026
- World Oral Health Day, March 20, 2026
- First Day of Spring, March 20, 2026
- World Water Day, March 22, 2026
- National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, March 22-28, 2026
- National Puppy Day, March 23, 2026
- World Tuberculosis Day, March 24, 2026
- National Doctor’s Day, March 30, 2026