March 2026 (Issue 3) of Cigarette Sales Brief from the CDC Foundation
The CDC Foundation has released the March 2026 issue (Issue 3) of the Cigarette Data Briefs.
Key findings from the report:
- Sales of cigarettes have consistently declined since 2019 in the U.S. overall, as well as in states with flavored tobacco sales restrictions.
- There was a greater decline in cigarette sales in Massachusetts and California, which have comprehensive flavor restrictions, than in New York and Rhode Island, Which only restrict the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.
- States that only restrict flavored e-cigarettes did not experience any long-term increases in cigarette sales. Cigarette sales in New York and Rhode Island declined from 2020 to 2025.
- The tobacco industry has introduced new products that circumvent and undermine flavor restriction policies. Monitoring retail scanner data is therefore crucial to inform policy implementation.
Nicotine Cessation Counseling Training for Pharmacists
New FDA Guidance on E-Cigarettes Authorizes Flavors that Can Attract Kids
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids issues a press release in March about the FDA’s new guidance on marketing applications for flavored e-cigarettes. This guidance would allow the FDA to authorize flavored e-cigarette products, including flavors such as mint that have historically been used by youth.
Monitoring a rapidly changing nicotine market: flavored “smart” vapes, oral nicotine pouches, and stronger disposables
The tobacco industry continues to engineer products that appeal to young people–including high tech “smart” vapes and flavored oral nicotine pouches–while disposable e-cigarettes grow stronger and cheaper, according to a new report from Truth Initiative.
The report found that the amount of nicotine sold increased by 249.2% between 2020 and 2024, largely due to the increased size and strength of disposable devices. Sales of disposable e-cigarettes increased by 206.0%, driven by fruit, candy, and dessert-flavored products – with many brands now incorporating “smart” features such as digital screens and games.
No Menthol Sunday 2026
The Center for Black Health & Equity has announced the theme for No Menthol Sunday 2026. No Menthol Sunday resources equip communities to advocate for policy change, protect themselves from the predatory tactics of the tobacco industry, and support quit journeys.
Visit NoMentholSunday.org to download the 2026 toolkit, view resources, and share your No Menthol Sunday events.
Where there's smoke (less), there's fire: viral oral nicotine pouch content on TikTok and market growth
The emergence of viral memes about oral nicotine products (ONPs) on TikTok is concerning, as popular content on a youth-centered platform may motivate youth use. This study investigates when the viral emergence of (ONP) TikTok videos occurs in relation to the accelerated growth of ONP sales.
Tobacco Free Nebraska Infographic Updates (March 2026)
- Who is Using the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline? breaks down who is using the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline by demographics, those with chronic illnesses and behavioral health conditions, and displays stats from the Quitline.
- What’s Tobacco Costing Nebraska shows the true cost of tobacco in Nebraska, including current tobacco use rates, deaths related to tobacco use, the number of those experiencing tobacco-related illness, and the economic costs.
- The Truth About Menthol – Menthol alters how the brain registers taste and pain, creating a cooling sensation that masks the harshness of tobacco, making it easier to start and harder to quit. Read about the dangers of menthol and how it affects Nebraskans in this infographic.
- Tobacco and Behavioral Health: Break the Cycle to Improve Treatment Outcomes breaks down the relationship between tobacco use and behavioral health conditions and talks about best practices for treating tobacco dependency in treatment.
- Going Smoke-Free in Your Home shows the dangers of secondhand smoke, how smoking in your home can increase the risk of tobacco-related house fires, and the benefits of having a smoke-free home.
🌟 Resource of the Month 🌟
What's Tobacco Costing Nebraska? Infographic
The What’s Tobacco Costing Nebraska infographic’s design was freshly updated to better show the true cost of tobacco in Nebraska, including current tobacco use rates, deaths related to tobacco use, the number of people experiencing tobacco-related illness, and the economic costs. This infographic used to be orange, so don’t miss out on the most recent data updates in the new design! Download and view this infographic here.
Check out Tobacco Free Nebraska’s other cessation resources at the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Order Form.
Marlene K.
Marlene started smoking in high school, with a lesson from a neighbor on how to inhale. Smoking seemed cool. Marlene continued to smoke as she married and raised children. Then at age 56, Marlene started to lose her vision. She had trouble reading; accidentally cut herself in the kitchen; and would fall, even when walking down only a few steps. She had developed an advanced eye disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD can destroy the central vision you need to read, drive, or see people’s faces.
Marlene’s doctor told her to quit smoking if she wanted to keep even a small portion of her eyesight. When a new drug came out—a breakthrough that might slow her vision loss—Marlene was excited. “Okay. I take it by mouth?” Marlene asked. “No, we inject it in your eyes,” said the doctor.
To date, Marlene has had dozens of injections in each eye—and she’ll need even more shots each month to avoid further vision loss. Marlene hopes that sharing her story will help others quit smoking as soon as possible.
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.
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.
Quit Tobacco Week Workgroup
April 29, 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.
SAVE THE DATE: Nebraska Tobacco Control Conference
June 3, 2026 | Lincoln, NE
Tobacco Free Nebraska is its annual Nebraska Tobacco Control Conference on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, time TBA.
Nebraska Tobacco Disparities Partnership
June 10, 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.
Upcoming Holidays, Monthly Health Observances and Awareness Days
April 2026
- Stress Awareness Month
- National Oral Health Month
- Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month
- Oral Cancer Awareness Month
- Takedown Tobacco Day, April 1, 2026
- National Public Health Week, April 6–12, 2026
- World Health Day, April 7, 2026
- National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, 2026
- Every Kid Healthy Week, April 20-24, 2026
- Earth Day, April 22, 2026