TFLC Monthly Newsletter
October
Announcements and Updates
GASO Preparations!
Encouraging Community Support for the Great American Smokeout
Tobacco Free Lancaster County (TFLC) invites you to join the local Great American Smokeout (GASO) campaign this November!
This annual event, pioneered by the American Cancer Society, takes place on the third Thursday in November and challenges people nationwide to take their first step toward quitting nicotine, highlights available resources for staying quit and encourages support from all sides. In true Nebraska spirit, we have expanded the campaign locally for the entire month of November. And while the name may say “Smokeout,” TFLC encourages quitting all forms of tobacco and nicotine—whether it’s smoking, vaping, chew, etc.
Quitting isn’t easy, but it’s worth it! Nicotine addiction impacts not just physical health, but also mental health, relationships, finances, and the environment. That’s why creating a community that supports quitting is important.
By signing up at TobaccoFreeLancasterCounty.org/GASO, you can be part of this movement to help build a stronger, healthier Lancaster County. We offer a variety of FREE resources for everyone to participate in the campaign, including quit kits (with helpful items like gum, mints, fidgets, and stress balls), educational tools, posters, flyers, yard signs, social media graphics, and more—TFLC has everything you need to get involved, show support, and spread the word!
Access these resources today and join us in supporting a nicotine-free Lancaster County. Together, we can help more people quit for good and create a community where everyone thrives!
Digital Ad
Quit Kit
We will be distributing quit kits to everyone who is interested in quitting tobacco/nicotine product(s).
NEW Winter Mirror Cling Designs!
We’re excited to launch new designs for our Mirror Cling campaign to LPS middle and high schools and focus programs, Pius X high school, Lincoln Lutheran middle and high schools, Waverly middle and high schools, Malcolm middle and high schools, Norris middle and high schools and Southeast Community College! Feedback from youth groups over recent months has been invaluable in shaping these designs and guiding our outreach efforts.
Future goals and aspirations are often key reasons why youth decide not to vape.
Youth often start or continue vaping as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or boredom.
Many youth don’t associate nicotine vapes with cigarettes, often viewing them as harmless “flavored air.”
The rising costs of tobacco and nicotine products can be a powerful motivator for youth to quit, as financial implications become a deterrent to continued use.
Last TFLC Coalition Meeting of 2024!
Last TFLC Coalition Meeting of 2024 is November 13 from 10AM - 11AM!
A big THANK YOU to the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights for hosting TFLC in September!
The final TFLC Coalition meeting for 2024 is on November 13th, 2024 will be available as a hybrid option, via Zoom and in-person at the April Sampson Cancer Center (4101 Tiger Lily Rd) - Conference Room A.
Check out the invite for more information and to RSVP!
Save the date to your calendar!
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is still under construction, so it is likely we will need to continue traveling and/or host Zoom only meetings into 2025. We will discuss this more at our November meeting!
Thank you to all our partners for sharing your spaces and teaching us more about your programs!
Smoke-Free Housing Committee
Next Meeting: Thursday November 14, 2024, 9:00-10:00 AM - this will be held via Zoom.
Meetings for 2024 are tentatively scheduled for the 2nd Thursday of each month, from 9-10 AM.
Youth Committee
Next Meeting: TBD (Should be Thursday November 28, 2024, 1:00-2:00 PM but this falls on Thanksgiving)
Meetings for 2024 are tentatively scheduled for the 4th Thursday of each month, from 1-2 PM.
Cessation Referral Committee
Next Meeting: Tuesday November 26, 2024, 10:00-11:00 AM - this will be held via Zoom.
Meetings for 2024 are tentatively scheduled for the 4th Tuesday of each month, from 10-11 AM.
Not on a committee yet?
Email Sadie at sjjensen@lincoln.ne.gov or Eunice at eoladeji@lincoln.ne.gov to join!
October TFLC Sponsored or Attended Events
October
1-13: 14-Day Challenge
4: NDOC Wellness Fair
16: Project Connect
17: Prairie Pride Film Festival
23: TFN Quarterly Meeting
31: Presentation at Bluestem
Education and Training Resources
TFN Resources
New Tobacco Free Nebraska Resource
Subscribe to the Tobacco Free Nebraska newsletter, here.
Trainings
Virtual QPR Training - November 8, 2024
The Impact of Tobacco Use on Behavioral Health: Insights and Strategies from the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline
The Impact of Tobacco Use on Oral Health
Tobacco Use Among Non-English Speaking Nebraskans
Webinars
Materials
Counter Tools Infographics Are Available!
Check out the Statewide and Lancaster County infographics providing the data from the tobacco retailer checks completed in 2023. We will chat more about these infographics during our next coalition meeting and as we move forward with strategic planning.
The Latest from the FDA
- Beginning Sept. 30, retailers must verify with photo identification the age of anyone under the age of 30 who is trying to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. FDA has developed a factsheet on these new requirements and resources available to assist retailers in calculating the age of customers.
- In a new commentary in the Annals of Internal Medicine, leaders at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the FDA highlight recommendations and opportunities to promote innovation in research and development of smoking cessation therapies.
- Current tobacco product use among U.S. middle and high school students has dropped to the lowest recorded level in 25 years, according to data from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS).
- On Oct. 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the administrative seizure of approximately 3 million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products, with an estimated retail value of $76 million.
Other Helpful Resources
National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco & Cancer Control from National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Public Health Law Center: Tracking Behavioral Health and Tobacco Use
FREE Resources Available through the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline Order Form
Media
October Strictly Business Press Release
Upcoming Events
Please let us know if you have interest in assisting with any community events or if you have any events you would like us to participate in!
November
5 - Governor's Proclamation - Tobacco Cessation Week
18-22 GASO Week
21- GASO Day




