As you may know, Sophia Yelkin has accepted a position outside the Health Department. Sophia was a champion and driver for progress in tobacco prevention and control in Lancaster County. Her superpowers of connection, collaboration, facilitation, and leadership have truly advanced the coalitions capacity for outreach. Sophia's humor, positivity, and creativity will be greatly missed, but we are so grateful to know her. Best wishes to Sophia!

As a coalition we have been discussing the next grant cycle for the last several months. For the 2023-2025 grant period the coalition was awarded a grant renewal, meaning an abbreviated application process. Because TFLC spent significant time and effort redefining coalition goals and strategies for the 2021-2023 grant, the upcoming grant cycle will continue to expand on that foundation with a few adjustments to better align with community feedback. For example, community partners and medical providers have provided feedback about wanting more evidence-based cessation options, support, and resources for patients, instead of focusing on tobacco-free campuses. The renewal application has been submitted!

Below are the updated objectives and strategies for 2023-2025, which are still pending approval. We are excited to continue building on foundation we have assembled this grant period.

LB539 - Appropriating over a million dollars a year in Juul settlement monies to Tobacco Prevention and Control. Appropriations committee hearing was 3/24 @1:30. TFLC President Tiffany Quicke provided a letter of support to the legislature for this bill.

LB745 - Increase cigarette tax by $1.50/pack (unlikely to pass). Revenue committee hearing was 3/23.

LB584 - Very small tax on e-cigarettes. Amendment filed differentiating less than 3mL as 5 cents per milliliter, above 3mL is 10% tax. Sen. Hughes has made this a priority bill.

LB24 - Cap on cigar tax. Revenue committee hearing was on 1/25.

OutNebraska will be providing a presentation at the May 17th TFLC coalition. Their presentation will focus around the work they do in the community and build our coalition capacity around LGBTQIA+ issues by providing some awareness education.

Karen Society of Nebraska is a new partner for TFLC they have a few upcoming events including a Virtual Health Fair and an AAPI Celebration (see flyers below). The Executive Director James Knyawhtoo is passionate about providing his community with education and health information. Please contact James at jamesknyawhtoo@gmail.com if you are interested in tabling at his events.

Inspire Girls event was attended by an estimated 500 youth and guardians. Participants wrote or drew a picture of what inspires them to be tobacco free. Spoke with parents and youth about tobacco cessation and education.

Students in the Arts and Humanities program with LPS have the opportunity to submit designs for next school years mirror clings. They will be submitting their designs by the end of the year and the Youth Task Force will be reviewing and selecting designs!

Assisted Amanda Jorge - Tobacco Educator at El Centro de las Americas - with a presentation for expecting or new mothers. This presentation also served as an opportunity to gather more information about what would be helpful for a Spanish language PSA.

CHI Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab requested quit kits. We have also provided these to other physical and behavioral health facilities in the past couple of years. We will now have more of these available to provide to facilities, please contact us if you would like some for your clients/patients.

A local Youth Advocate has joined in providing social media and digital content for their Government and Politics hours. You may have seen some of their messages and ads on Facebook!

As part of our media funding, we supply a monthly press release, as well as some additional feature ads to Strictly Business Magazine. They are a digital and print advertiser with significant reach across our community. Check out our articles for February, March, and April!

February: Tobacco Free Lancaster County Sponsors Opportunity for Youth Organizations

March: Tobacco Free Lancaster County Celebrates ‘Take Down Tobacco’ National Day of Action

April: TFLC Encourages Businesses to Celebrate Earth Day with Tobacco-Free Policies

New mirror clings and TV ads are up at Pinnacle Bank Arena. We switched it up a bit by changing sizing and trying a new die-cut design. Make sure to check them out next time you are at Pinnacle Bank Arena!

Please let us know if you have interest in assisting with any of these great community events.

April

18-19: Nebraska Civil Rights Conference (Pre-Conference on the 18th in afternoon)

30: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration

May

10: City/County Wellness Fair

17: TFLC Quarterly Meeting

27: Karen Society of Nebraska AAPI Celebration

30: World No Tobacco Day

May 31st, June 1st, June 2nd - Workshop with Roberto Dansie

June

2: Hop, SCIP, Run and Jump

9-10: Pride Parade and Festival