Answers About Tobacco

TFN E-News Update / March 22, 2021

The Tips® Campaign is looking for new stories!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health is recruiting participants to be featured in a future Tips From Former Smokers® campaign. The campaign will feature real people who have had life-changing, smoking-related health problems and their loved ones who care for them.
 
To assist in recruitment, please share the Montage or Brian H. recruitment fliers with your network. For more information visit: joinCDCtips.org, email: contactus@joinCDCtips.org or call: 1-(844)4-TIPS-NOW (1-844-484-7766).
 

A Closer Look: Impact of COVID-19 on Cessation

The North American Quitline Consortium (NAQC) has released a new report highlighting trends in quitline services and call volume in 2020. Nationally, calls to 1-800-QUIT-NOW decreased by 27% (over 190,000 calls) and the decrease in calls mirrored the timeline of the pandemic. A chart showing Nebraska’s call volume, national call volume and COVID-19 positivity rate in 2020 can be seen above.
 
The report and chart highlight the continued need for messaging on smoking cessation and effective cessation services during the pandemic. If you have questions regarding the localized data, reach out to Cheng Wang at cheng.wang@nebraska.gov.
 

Register Now: No Limits Take Down Tobacco National Day of Actionno-limits

Registration is now open for No Limit’s Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action, formerly Kick Butts Day. The free, virtual event scheduled for April 1, is open to Nebraska youth ages 12-18 (or grades 7-12). Registration deadline is Friday, March 26. For additional questions, reach out to: info@nolimitsnebraska.com.
 

U.S. Preventative Services Task Force Updates Lung Cancer Screening Recommendations

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recently updated the recommendations on lung cancer screening. The recommendation lowers age of eligibility from 55 to 40 and reduces the smoking history from 30 pack years to 20. These changes will double the number of individuals eligible for screening.

ToolkitToolkit: Addressing Health Disparities Related to Tobacco Use Among Individuals with Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders

The National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco and Cancer Control recently released a new resource, Implementation Toolkit for State Public Health and Tobacco Control Partners. The toolkit is meant to serve as a guide to help strengthen public health focus on identifying and addressing tobacco-related health disparities among individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.

Truth Initiative: New Flavored Tobacco Policy Resources

Flavors play an important role in addicting youth and young adults to tobacco products. Flavored products are easier to start and more difficult to quit. The new flavored tobacco policy resource center from Truth Initiative offers lots of information and shares the experiences of cities that have implemented flavored tobacco policy restrictions and their impact.

New Tips From Former Smokers® Ad: Assad & Leah M.

Growing up, Asaad M. knew that his mom, Leah, was always there to care for him. When Leah was diagnosed with cancer from smoking cigarettes, 19-year-old Asaad stepped up to become her full-time caregiver. Now 25, Asaad explains that it was his turn to take care of his mom.
 
For more Tips from Former Smokers® stories visit: CDC.gov/tips
 

MMWR: Prevalence of E-Cigarette Use Among Adult Workers

CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Respiratory Health Division, in collaboration with the Office on Smoking and Health, recently published a report in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report focused on adult workers’ e-cigarette use. Survey data shows that during 2017 and 2018, approximately 3.4% of U.S. workers used e-cigarettes, with use most common in the accommodation and food service industries.

Toxic-WasteA Toxic, Plastic Problem: E-Cigarette Waste and the Environment

According to a new report by Truth Initiative, almost half of young people don’t know what to do with used e-cigarette pods and disposable devices. The report explains why the environmental consequences of e-cigarette waste are growing and offers suggested action steps addressing this concern.