Tobacco Free Lancaster County
E-News January 2020
2019 - A Year In Review
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!
Minimum Age to Purchase
The Lincoln Municipal Code was also amended to comply with the Nebraska state law changing the age to legally sell tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 19 years of age. This will also go into effect on January 1, 2020. Local compliance checks conducted by Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD), Lincoln Police Department (LPD), and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) will be using age 19 to comply with state law and the City’s ordinance.
Below you will find the Mayor's media release.