Thank you for attending the 2024 Nebraska State Tobacco Control Conference!
Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Offering
Additional Free Quit Medication
The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline is offering additional free quit medication through June 30, 2024, to Nebraskans trying to quit tobacco.
The Quitline is offering participants quit medication containing a one-time shipment of a two-week supply of nicotine patches and an additional two-week supply of their choice between gum or lozenges, for a total of a four-week supply of quit medication for free. Using two types of quit medication, also known as combination therapy, can increase the chance of successfully quitting tobacco products. The Quitline can help Nebraskans quit any type of tobacco product, including e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, such as chew.
To qualify for the special quit medication offer, participants must:
- be an adult living in Nebraska,
- register with the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), or visit QuitNow.ne.gov, and
- complete at least one free counseling session.
Healthcare providers can go to QuitNow.ne.gov/providers to learn more about referring patients to the Quitline.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Cigarette Smoking Among Pregnant Women During the Perinatal Period: Prevalence and Health Care Provider Inquiries — Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, United States, 2021
On May 7, 2024, CDC released the following tobacco-related article in the journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Cigarette Smoking Among Pregnant Women During the Perinatal Period: Prevalence and Health Care Provider Inquiries — Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, United States, 2021.
Article highlights:
- One in 20 women in 2021 reported smoking during pregnancy, and more than half quit during pregnancy. One in 13 women reported smoking after delivery. Almost all were asked about smoking at prenatal visits, however, only three in five were asked at their postpartum checkup.
- Clinicians are encouraged to routinely discuss smoking with pregnant and postpartum patients and counsel them about resources to help them quit.
- Cigarette smoking can lead to poor health outcomes for pregnant women and their infants. CDC researchers analyzed data from the 2021 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to estimate the percentage of women who smoked cigarettes before, during, and after pregnancy; the percentage who quit smoking during pregnancy; and whether their health care providers talked to them about smoking.
- CDC’s PRAMS provides data not available from other sources. PRAMS data are used by researchers to investigate emerging issues in the field of reproductive health and by state, territory, and local governments to plan and review programs and policies aimed at reducing health problems among mothers and infants.
Corrective Statements: Retailer Compliance Checks
A federal court order requires tobacco companies to place “corrective statement” signs in over 200,000 stores across the United States. A recent report found over 16% of stores are failing to display the signs. To improve compliance and hold the tobacco industry accountable, the public plays an important role in reporting violations. Don’t see a corrective statement or see a blocked corrective statement? Submit a tip at tobaccosigntipline.com or text (877) 749-8477.
View the retail corrective statements here.
Heated Tobacco Products
Earlier this year, Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco settled a patent dispute that had imports and sales of IQOS heated tobacco products on hold since 2021. According to the CDC, “heated tobacco products heat processed tobacco leaf, allowing users to inhale nicotine into their lungs.” These products may also be referred to as “heat-not-burn” products. IQOS is a top heated tobacco device globally, and Philip Morris is now preparing to launch IQOS sales in Austin, Texas.
FDA Updates
- On May 1, the FDA announced the issuance of warning letters to 14 online retailers for selling unauthorized e-cigarette products popular among youth. These warning letters cite the sale of disposable e-cigarette products marketed under popular brand names such as Elf Bar/EB Design, Esco Bars, Funky Republic, Hyde, Kang, Cali Bars, and Lost Mary.
- The first update of the FDA’s Searchable Tobacco Products Database, a new user-friendly list of tobacco products—including e-cigarettes—that may be legally marketed in the United States, took place on May 6. On May 22, the FDA launched new technical updates to the database, which include enhanced search capabilities and improved accessibility on mobile devices.
- Join the Center for Tobacco Products for a webinar to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the award-winning “The Real Cost” youth tobacco prevention campaign on June 11, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm CT.
- On May 9, 2024, the FDA filed for scientific review modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) renewal applications submitted by Philip Morris Products S.A. for the IQOS products.
Jamason C.
Eighteen-year-old Jamason was diagnosed with asthma as an infant. He never really understood the dangers of secondhand smoke until it triggered a severe asthma attack. Jamason never smoked cigarettes. Even when friends tried to talk him into having one cigarette, he would reply, “It’s just not cool to smoke.”
Jamason’s worst attack occurred when he was 16, at a fast food restaurant where he worked. He was sweeping close to some coworkers who were smoking, and he started having trouble breathing. He called his mother, frantic for help. She found him at work gasping for air. He was hospitalized for four days.
Tobacco Cessation and Behavioral Health Workgroup
July 29, 2024 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. CT
During these quarterly virtual meetings, individuals will focus on the workgroup’s mission to collaborate, establish projects for the workgroup, share resources and align goals across the state of Nebraska, with the aim of increasing tobacco cessation programming in behavioral health services.
Nebraska Tobacco Disparities Partnership Meeting
June 26, 2024 | 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 disparities among Nebraska’s diverse populations. The Nebraska Tobacco Disparities Partnership 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.
Michael Scott, Program Manager of The Center for Black Health and Equity, will present on communicating health disparities effectively.
National Tribal Tobacco Conference
June 27-28, 2024 | Minneapolis, MN
This conference will address the traditional uses of tobacco and commercial tobacco impact in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities across the United States, and will emphasize AI/AN persons returning to a healthy relationship with tobacco, the importance of creating health equity, and provide an opportunity for networking and collaboration.
American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation Clearing the Air Institute
Oct. 14-17, 2024 | Philadelphia, PA
Clearing the Air® Institute focuses on smoke-free air and gaps in protections, and features specific information on smoke-free workplaces, secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol, multi-unit housing, marijuana, casinos, menthol and flavors, colleges, and more.
Nebraska DHHS Division of Public Health, Office of Health Disparities: Eliminating Health Disparities Conference
Oct. 16-17, 2024 | York, NE
The Eliminating Health Disparities in Nebraska conference will share successful programming and services which address and reduce health disparities in Nebraska in the areas of physical/mental health, social/spiritual well-being, community conditions, root causes, and organization transformation skills.
SAVE THE DATE: National Conference on Tobacco or Health
Aug. 26-28, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
The National Conference on Tobacco or Health is one of the largest, long-standing gatherings for top United States tobacco control professionals.
This convening attracts a diversity of attendees committed to best practices and policies to reduce tobacco use, which is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States.
Tobacco Disparities Reframing Project
OPEN NOW | Virtual
The CDC Office on Smoking and Health’s training resource to help the tobacco control community use new evidence-based framing and messaging.
FREE Resources Available through the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Order Form
This online order form provides the option to preview, order, download and print free and updated promotional resources such as brochures, window clings, magnets, information sheets and more with information about the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline. Most materials are available in both Spanish and English. Please order or use these free materials as needed.
Upcoming Monthly Health Observances and Awareness Days
June
- Cataract Awareness Month
- Graduation Season
- Great Outdoors Month
- Men’s Health Month
- National Safety Month
- Oral Health Awareness Month
- Pow-wow Season (generally runs June through August)
- National Cancer Survivors Day, June 2, 2024
- World Environment Day, June 5, 2024
- National Children’s Day, June 9, 2024
- Father’s Day, June 16, 2024
- Juneteenth, June 19, 2024
- National HIV Testing Day, June 27, 2024
Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Offers
Resources for Healthcare Providers
Accredited courses are available online through the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline for providers looking to receive CME, CNE or CPE credits. Every year, providers in Nebraska support patients quitting tobacco by referring them to the Quitline. The courses offered help providers discuss how cessation can increase quit success and reduce the risks associated with tobacco use, including vaping. Several courses are offered and cover a variety of topics, such as Tobacco Use Disparities for People with Behavioral Health Conditions, Myths About Quitting, Vaping and E-Cigarette Devices, and more.
Additionally, providers can refer patients using the new online web referral option or the updated fax referral form. Go online to access tools, resources, and education modules, plus the web and fax referrals for providers ready to help patients quit, at QuitNow.ne.gov/providers.
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit QuitNow.ne.gov to reach a trained quit coach, get access to free quit-smoking medication, and make a plan to quit tobacco for good.