TFLC Coalition Meeting Minutes

Please review the minutes, let us know about any corrections, and be sure to reach out if you have clarifications or information to share.

Attendees: Sarah Roehl (School Coordinator, SCIP), Sadie Jensen (Substance Use Prevention and Wellbeing Coordinator, LLCHD), Eunice Oladeji (TFLC/LLCHD), Amanda Jorge (Tobacco Program Coordinator, El Centro de las Americas), Bolu Aderounmu (TFLC/LLCHD), Jeff Soukup (Nebraska DHHS, Tobacco Free Nebraska) - sent slides, not present live,

Motion to Approve Minutes: Sadie Jensen (1st), Bolu Aderounmu (2nd).

Discussion revolved around legislative updates, TFLC and partner organization updates, Green Light project planning and ideas for collaborating with LPS, and upcoming community events.

Session Overview

• Today (March 19) is Day 50 of the 60-day legislative session, which closes April 17.

• In this two-year session: 1,262 bills were introduced in total; 546 introduced in 2026.

LB 212 (Passed)

• Passed unanimously and was signed by the Governor.

• Takes effect January 1 of next year.

LB 1071 (Budget/Appropriations - Active Floor Debate Today)

• Includes a $800,000 cut to tobacco prevention funding (up from $700,000 discussed at the last meeting).

• The proposed cuts would apply retroactively to both the current and next fiscal year.

• An amendment to reinstate the funding failed on general file.

• Select file vote is expected today. Coalition members should begin assessing how the cuts would affect their budgets.

LB 1124 (Failed)

• Senator Hughes prioritized LB 1124, which proposed a $1.00 per pack increase in cigarette taxes and an increase in e-cigarette/vaping taxes to 30%.

• The bill advanced through revenue with 7-0 votes but ultimately failed by 2 votes.

• LB 1124 is effectively dead for this legislative session.

Background (provided for new attendees): The Green Light Project is an annual mental health awareness campaign held each May. Partners include the Mental Health Association (MHA), NAMI, Region V's Talk Heart2Heart. The campaign encourages people to light a green light bulb in their home or display a yard sign to signal that they are a safe space for mental health conversations. Campaign components include green light bulbs, yard signs (English and Spanish), social media content, and short videos of community members sharing why they "light up green."

2026 Planning Update

• First planning meeting was held Tuesday, March 17, with representatives from MHA, NAMI, Region V and TFLC/LLCHD.

• Next planning meeting: April 1, 2:00 to 3:00 PM. Anyone interested in joining should contact Eunice for the invite.

• Yard signs will again be available in English and Spanish.

• Social media content from 2025 (videos, photos, and copies) will be reused and updated. MHA has a new video person named Madison who will assist.

• Sadie noted she has media funding through her overdose prevention work that may support radio, digital, and streaming ads.

Brainstorm: Alternative Items for Apartment Dwellers (No Yard Signs)

The group discussed what to give people who live in apartments or housing where yard signs are not permitted.

• Affirmation cards: Small cards people can carry with them or put in a phone case. Similar to what Hope Squad does for Hope Day.

• Silicone bracelets

• Phone wallet insert cards

• Stickers

• Window clings

• Car magnets

Hope Squad Collaboration Idea

• Sadie reported that the LPS Suicide Prevention coordinator (Andrea Phillips) mentioned Hope Squads hold a "Hope Day" on April 1 at most LPS schools, where bracelets, affirmation cards, and similar items are distributed.

• Sadie proposed reaching out to Andrea Phillips to explore collaboration, potentially extending into May for the Green Light Project.

• Ideas for collaboration: providing green light materials for Hope Squad members to display or distribute, organizing a school-based affirmation activity (e.g., writing on white t-shirts in a supervised setting with a smaller group), or simply providing easy-to-distribute items so schools are not overburdened during a busy time of year.

Wine, Chocolate & Tango (Amanda, El Centro)

• Date: Friday, April 18

• Time: 6:00 to 10:00 PM

• Venue: The Marriott (Cornhusker)

• TFLC has 4 tickets. Please contact Eunice if you are interested in attending.

We will also be taking Green Light Project brochures to the event for promotion.

Parent Packages for Elementary Schools (Sarah, SCIP)

Sarah noted Eunice and Bolu had developed parent packages for nicotine prevention outreach in elementary schools. Five packages were prepared per school building. Sarah will distribute them at end-of-year meetings with team leaders.

Package contents:

• "Why Animals Don't Smoke" coloring/activity book

• QR code card linking to a map showing how many vape shops are within 1,000 feet of each Lincoln school (with context on why this matters and suggested actions)

• A parent guide on vaping (with resource barcodes)

• Nicotine poisoning fact sheet (developed through the childproofing task force; includes Poison Control number and signs of nicotine exposure)

• Small whiteboard with marker

• Conversation starter cards: 10 cards with a conversation-opener question and a bridge question that connects general thinking to substance use and mental health

Once distributed, we will monitor feedback and assess impact on vaping prevention conversations in schools. Packages will also be taken to the SCIP Conference on March 25.

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!

March

• 25: SCIP Spring Conference
• 30-31: Nebraska Public Health Conference

April

• 1: Green Light Project Planning Meeting, 2-3pm.
• 12: YMCA Healthy Kids Day
• 17: End oof current Nebraska Legislative Session
• 17: Wine, Chocolate, Tango
• 21: Civil Rights Conference
• 25: Lincoln Earth Day

May

• All Month: Green Light Project
• 2: AAPI Heritage Month Celebration

Our purpose is to promote health by educating the public about the dangers of tobacco and vapor product use.

Email: info@tobaccofreelancastercounty.org
Website: www.tobaccofreelancastercounty.org
Location: 3131 O Street, Lincoln, NE, USA
Phone: 402-441-8045
Facebook: facebook.com/tflcne