Answers About Tobacco

TFN E-News Update / September 2024

BRFSS data available on the Public Health Atlas through 2022

The Nebraska Public Health Atlas has been updated to include Nebraska Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data through 2022. BRFSS collects data on health-related risk behaviors and events, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services providing valuable insights into tobacco use trends into Nebraska trends, including tobacco use. This resource highlights key statistics on the current rates for cigarettes, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco use, as well as quit rates among current cigarette users and secondhand smoke exposure over time. For each indicator, data can be displayed by a single year or multi-year combined.

Through interactive maps, charts and tables, users can explore tobacco use patterns across various demographics including age, gender, race/ethnicity, household income, education level, and geographic regions. This tool uncovers health disparities and evaluates efforts to reduce tobacco use, guiding policies and promoting healthier communities in Nebraska.


Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) – Notes from the Field: E-Cigarette and Nicotine Pouch Use Among Middle and High School Students—United States, 2024

On September 5, 2024, the CDC and FDA recently released the following tobacco-related article in the journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), titled Notes from the Field: E-Cigarette and Nicotine Pouch Use Among Middle and High School Students—United States, 2024.

The results of the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) show that current (past 30-day) e-cigarette use among U.S. youth declined significantly in 2024, with e-cigarette use among high school students falling to 7.8% from 10% in 2023 and a high of 27.5% in 2019. The number of middle and high school students who reported current e-cigarette use fell from 2.13 million in 2023 to 1.63 million in 2024. However, a large percentage of youth e-cigarette users, including 42% of high school users and 27% of middle school users, reported frequent or daily use, which is a strong sign of addiction. In addition, 88% of youth users reported using flavored e-cigarettes.


CDC Feature Article: Helpful Tips for Protecting Youth from the Harms of Vaping

A new CDC feature article highlights ways parents, educators, and health care providers can help youth reject or quit tobacco use, including e-cigarette use. Strategies include talking with youth about vaping, helping them understand the risks, and empowering them to practice healthy behaviors and positive coping skills. Many students who vape report using e-cigarettes because they feel anxious, stressed, or depressed. Healthy coping skills can help youth handle these feelings and avoid using e-cigarettes.


No Limits Nebraska Updates

MINI GRANTS
Mini Grant applications for 2024-2025 are available! No Limits Nebraska will award the first round of applications by October 15, and then continue to take applications on a rolling basis through January 20, 2025. Deadline for turning in receipts for reimbursement is April 1, 2025. View the flyer for more information.

Watch videos from last year’s mini grants.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TEAM
No Limits Nebraska is looking for 10-15 youth across Nebraska entering 9th – 12th grade willing to commit to a one-year term. Youth leaders will learn about the best practices of tobacco prevention and control. Youth Leaders will also have the opportunity to be trained in StrengthFinder and provide education to their peers about the use of commercial tobacco. Students who commit to 15 hours of service during the school year will receive a $50 incentive. If you have a youth in your area interested in this opportunity, encourage them to sign up! View the flyer for more information.


Public Health Law Center: Zyn and the Rise of Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches are smokeless commercial tobacco products, like snus and tobacco chew, that contain nicotine, whether naturally or synthetically derived. Users place the pouch between the lip and gums where the nicotine can be absorbed through the gums and into the bloodstream. Nicotine pouches are rising in popularity among youth.

The Center developed a new resource titled Zyn and the Rise in Popularity of Nicotine Pouches, which addresses key questions about these new products, including youth use, marketing strategies, and regulatory issues.


FDA Updates


NAQC Quitline Map Updates

The North American Quitline Consortium (NAQC) has updated the most visited NAQC web resource – Quitline Map. Public health and healthcare professionals, researchers, and consumers regularly use the map to get up-to-date information about state quitlines and the services offered, as well as how to connect with quitline services. Additionally, NAQC uses the profile information for the annual survey, which helps streamline the survey and reduce the burden on respondents.


Michael F.

Michael, age 57, started smoking when he was 12 years old because he wanted his friends to think he was cool. He would sneak cigarettes from family members who smoked. Over time, Michael’s addiction to cigarettes grew until he was smoking an average of two to three packs a day.

In his early 40s, Michael started having shortness of breath. He found ways to hide his condition from his co-workers so they wouldn’t know he couldn’t keep up with them. Then at 47 years old, Michael was diagnosed with smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He had part of his right lung removed because of an infection. A few years later, Michael had another surgery, on his left lung this time. By the time he was 51 years old, Michael had to quit working because of his difficulty breathing. That year he also quit smoking.

Michael’s COPD is considered Stage 4 and he uses oxygen to help him breathe. His advice to people who smoke is to stop smoking immediately. “Think about all you’ll have to give up and ask yourself if it’s really worth it,” Michael said. “I can tell you, it’s not.”


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.

Learn more here.

Tobacco Cessation and Behavioral Health Workgroup
October 28, 2024 | 2:30 – 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 Asthma Conference
November 1, 2024 | Omaha, NE
This conference, presented by the Children’s Nebraska Asthma Center of Excellence and Sponsored by the Nebraska Asthma Coalition will be held at the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center at Omaha, and will examine current asthma topics, treatments, and the effects of social determinants of health on asthma.

View more information here.

Nebraska Tobacco Disparities Partnership
December 24, 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.

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.


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 Spanish and English. Please order or use these free materials as needed.


Upcoming Monthly Health Observances and Awareness Days

November

  • American Diabetes Month and Diabetic Eye Disease Month
  • Bladder Health Month
  • Cancer Awareness Months:
    – Lung Cancer Awareness Month
    – Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
    – Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
  • COPD Awareness Month
  • Native American Heritage Month
  • National Healthy Skin Month
  • Prematurity Awareness Month
  • National Stress Awareness Day, November 6, 2024
  • Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2024
  • World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2024
  • World Prematurity Day, November 17, 2024
  • COPD Awareness Day, November 20, 2024
  • American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout, November 21, 2024
  • National Rural Health Day, November 21, 2024
  • International Men’s Day, November 19, 2024
  • Thanksgiving, November 28, 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.