2019 was a big year for the Tobacco Free Lancaster County Coalition. We welcomed two new staff members, new coalition leadership, and a new program coordinator. These changes helped usher in one of the most successful program years to date!
On December 16, 2019, the Lincoln City Council voted unanimously to make several changes to the Lincoln Municipal Code to protect the health of our community. Most notable was the inclusion of vapor products in Chapter 8.50 of the Lincoln Municipal Code. As a result, effective January 1, 2020, electronic cigarette use (vaping) will be prohibited in all places of employment and indoor public places in Lincoln. The change provides clean safe air for all who live, work, play, and learn in Lincoln. Thank you to everyone who helped make this change possible!
In November, the TFLC participated in a very successful Nebraska Tobacco Cessation Awareness week, which included the Great American Smokeout, thanks to many of our partner organizations. Tobacco and electronic-cigarette education was done at local schools as well as an event at Southeast Community College promoting tobacco cessation.
Since March, the TFLC has worked with Youth Task Force partners to host a youth e-cigarette prevention and education themed Health Education Week. The events of the week were held October 21-25. Twelve community partners came together to make this possible. Without them, we would not have been able to reach over 23,000 families in Lincoln and Lancaster County with education and resources to address youth use of e-cigarettes in our community. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible! Your commitment and hard work earned recognition across the community.
We hope everyone has a safe and happy tobacco-free holiday season - see you in 2020!
