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The Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act (LB395), which is effective June 1, 2009, prohibits smoking in virtually all workplaces in Nebraska. The law protects workers from secondhand smoke in all indoor areas of worksites and public places including, but not limited to warehouses, factories, retail establishments, office buildings, restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, private clubs and keno establishments. The law reflects Nebraska's commitment to ensuring that workers and the public are protected from secondhand smoke. For more information, visit www.SmokeFree.ne.gov
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Tobacco Prevention

WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

Tobacco Free Platte and Colfax Tobacco Prevention coalitions work to reduce exposure to second hand smoke in homes and vehicles. As the communities become more aware of the prevalence and risks of second hand smoke, it is hoped that attitudes and eventually behavioral changes will occur.

It is also the intention of the coalitions to reduce initiation of smoking in the younger population. When businesses are compliant with laws regarding tobacco sales to minors and when teens become more aware of marketing done by the tobacco companies, it is hoped that they will choose against smoking.

The Tobacco Prevention Coalitions were formed in 2001, and funding is provided to the ECDHD by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services System/Tobacco Free Nebraska program as a result of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

Smoke Free Nebraska

COALITIONS

Interested members of the community are welcome to join the coalitions.
Tobacco Free Colfax County Coalition meets every second Monday of the month, from 12:05 to 1:00, at the Schuyler Municipal Building.
Tobacco Free Platte County Coalition meets every second Wednesday of the month, from 12:05 to 1:00, in the Hy-Vee Club Room.

Tobacco Industry Influence in Nebraska (2007)

Annual tobacco industry marketing expenditures nationwide

$13.4 billion

Estimated portion spent for Nebraska marketing each year

$75.8 million

Tobacco Use in Nebraska (2007)

High school students who smoke

19.7% (20,400)

Male high school students who use smokeless or spit tobacco

15.2% (females use much lower)

Kids (under 18) who become new daily smokers each year

2,100

Kids exposed to secondhand smoke at home

96,000

Packs of cigarettes bought or smoked by kids each year

4.7 million

Adults in Nebraska who smoke

19.9% (263,300)

Deaths in Nebraska From Smoking (2007)

Adults who die each year from their own smoking

2,200

Kids now under 18 and alive in Nebraska who will ultimately die prematurely from smoking

36,000

Adult nonsmokers who die each year from exposure to second hand smoke

280

Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined -- and thousands more die from other tobacco-related causes -- such as fires caused by smoking (more than 1,000 deaths/year nationwide) and smokeless tobacco use. No good estimates are currently available, however, for the number of Nebraska citizens who die from these other tobacco-related causes, or for the much larger numbers who suffer from tobacco-related health problems each year without actually dying.

SERVICES OFFERED

  • Monthly coalition meetings in both Columbus and Schuyler.
  • Speakers who are proponents of not smoking are available for community presentations
  • Education for youth, primarily targeted to middle school and high school age kids.
  • Participation in Health fairs and local events
  • Speaking engagements
  • Support for implementing LB395
  • Promoting compliance to laws prohibiting sale of tobacco products to minors
  • Brochures, posters, videos, CD's "hands on" style teaching aids
  • Contests for schools and teen groups

COST OF SERVICE

Services are available free of charge.

BROCHURES AND VIDEOS

We have a large selection of tobacco prevention material available at our office in the  Wellness Center at 3806 Howard Blvd.  These include brochures, displays, and teaching tools.  Also available are videos from Tobacco Free Nebraska.

LINKS

Smoke Free Nebraska
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Tobacco Free Nebraska
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tips 4 Youth