TFLC Coalition Meeting Minutes

Shoutout to Sadie for supplying this meeting's ice-breaker. It was exciting to imagine shadows turning to dragons, money, tree, goody bag, a place of comfort, and many other fun ideas. It was a honor having you at the meeting; Thank you for sharing your time.

Please review the minutes, let us know about any corrections, and be sure to check out the links for more information.

Next ice-breaker: Teri Effle.

Attendees: Sarah Roehl (School Coordinator, SCIP), Sadie Jensen (Substance Use Prevention and Wellbeing Coordinator, LLCHD), Eunice Oladeji (TFLC/LLCHD), Kristin Walstad (Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, Friendship Home), Teri Effle (Prevention Specialist, Region V), Jane Hansmeyer (Health and Wellness Coordinator, Norris Schools), Jeff Soukup (Nebraska DHHS, Tobacco Free Nebraska), Bolu Aderounmu (TFLC/LLCHD)

Motion to Approve Minutes: Sadie Jensen (1st), Teri Effle (2nd).

Discussion revolved around legislative updates, TFLC and partner organization updates, ideas for collaborating with healthcare provider centers, and upcoming community events.

• The legislature returned to session on January 7th for the 60-day session (second year of the two-year legislative cycle)

• 440 new bills were introduced; the deadline for new bill introductions has closed

• All bills will have public hearings between now and February 27th, with opportunities to testify in person or submit testimony online

• Session scheduled to end April 17th

• Priority designation deadline: February 9th (each senator gets one priority, committees get two, Speaker gets 25)

LB 212: Tobacco Products Tax on Internet/Remote Sales

• Status: Carryover bill from last year, amended to AM319; passed General File with a 44-0 vote, advancing to Select File

• Description: Would tax internet and remote cigar sales at the same rate as in-store purchases, filling a current gap in tax law

• Impact: Would generate additional revenue and increase prices, which is associated with reduced use

LB 1124: Cigarette Tax Increase (Senator Tony Sorrentino)

• Description: Would raise the cigarette tax from $0.64 to $1.64 per pack (a $1.00 increase), with revenue directed to Medicaid

• Context: Nebraska tobacco tax has not been raised since 2002; currently ranks 42nd in the country; national average is $2.05

• Key Note: A $1.00 increase is the minimum threshold for meaningful public health impact. If the amount drops below $1.00, major advocacy organizations (American Cancer Society, Lung Association, Heart Association) will withdraw support

• Status: Hearing not yet scheduled; will go before Revenue Committee

LB 1238: Comprehensive Tobacco Tax (Senator Hughes)

• Description: Would implement a 30% tax on the purchase price of all tobacco products (cigarettes, vapes, cigars, roll-your-own, pipe tobacco)

• Advantages: Comprehensive approach treats all products equally, preventing consumers from switching to lower-taxed alternatives

• Revenue: Estimated to generate $70-80 million (pending official fiscal note), which would help address the state’s $450 million budget gap

• Note: Does not include dedicated funding for prevention or cessation; revenue would go to the general fund

LB 1071: Governor’s Budget Adjustment (CONCERN)

• Description: Proposes an additional $750,000 cut to tobacco prevention and cessation funding

• Impact: Combined with last year’s $1 million cut, this would reduce funding from $3.6 million to $1.8 million

• Context: $1.8 million would be the lowest funding level since 2004

• Resource: Infographic on tobacco prevention funding history and outcomes

LB 1254: Childproof Vape Devices (Senator Bostar)

• Description: Would prohibit the sale of electronic smoking devices without child safety features; introduced recently

• Impact: Potential to reduce cases of nicotine poisoning in children which could come from e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, or other nicotine-containing products.

• Context: Related to the work of the Childproof Vape Devices Taskforce. Here are updates from the taskforce.

Staff Updates

• Welcome to Bolu, new Public Health Educator with the Tobacco Prevention Program at Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department.

New Resources: Mirror Clings

• New mirror clings available (static-cling stickers for mirrors, easy to apply and remove). See images of new designs below.

• Primarily distributed at PBA locations, but organizations can request them for other venues. Reach out to Eunice or Bolu if you are interested in having mirror clings at your organization.

UNL Collaboration

• UNL Campus Recreation Department received a Truth Initiative grant

• Building on the 2024 ICU Challenge (resilience-building app recruitment on campus)

• Plans include reviving the app, hosting monthly booths on campus, collecting data on tobacco/vape product use, and recruiting participants for the app.

Youth Advisory Council

• Council members interested in policy work around retailer proximity density (distance from retailers to schools)

• 2023 counter tools assessment data available to support this work. View the 1000ft proximity to Lancaster schools and density GIS maps.

• Meeting rescheduled to February 17th due to weather

• Legislative visits planned for February 12th (morning or afternoon TBD)

• Will share vape compliance check data and general compliance check results with senators

• Educational outreach (not lobbying); primarily meeting with legislative aides

• Coalition members welcome to participate, contact Teri (teffle@region5systems.net) for details.

• Successfully distributing quit kits to staff and individuals

• Staff expressing interest in quitting and requesting more information

• Received 200 quit kits in 2025 (100 youth, 100 adult)

• Requesting additional kits as supplies have been depleted

• The program is implementing a feedback process for organizations receiving large or repeat quit kit orders.

• Simple questions about who is using kits and how they are helping.

• Idea raised: Distribute quit kits through healthcare providers, doctor’s offices, and pediatric clinics.

• Action: Sarah will connect with Abby regarding the LMEP clinic upstairs and their interest in providing quit kits

• Organizations with healthcare contacts who may benefit from quit kits are encouraged to share information with the program.

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!

February

• 15: Early Childhood Family Fair
• 19: Lakeview Elementary Annual School Wellness Fair
• 20: MHDI Health Equity Conference
• 25: TFN Quarterly Meeting

March

• 25: SCIP Spring Conference. Registration information.
• 30-31: Nebraska Public Health Conference (Will be presenting during a breakout session on the vape disposal project).

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