Get Involved

Connecting people to free tobacco resources

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Quitting nicotine is the best thing you can do for your health, and there’s more free help than ever:

📞 Call the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW to connect with a free quit coach

📱Download the QuitNow app for motivation and progress tracking

💻 Visit QuitNow.net, SmokeFree.gov or EXProgram.com for cessation resources and support

Learn more at MOTAC.org/quit-tobacco.

Harms of vaping aimed at young people

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Compared to cigarettes, vaping can seem normal and harmless, but that’s a total myth. Vape juice of any kind can contain harmful stuff like heavy metals, formaldehyde and ultra-fine particles that can get stuck in your lungs. 🚫💨

If you’re ready to kick vaping, check out EXProgram.com for free quit resources and a supportive online community. You can also text STARTMYQUIT to 36072 for free text coaching. You’re not in this alone!

Harms of vaping aimed at parents

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Worried a teen may be vaping? Here are some conversation pointers from the CDC:

➡️ “Vaping can be expensive. Think of all the other ways you might be able to spend your money.”

➡️ “I don’t say this to scare you, but I want you to have the facts. Nothing is more important to me than your health and safety.”

➡️ “Nicotine addiction is one more source of stress you don’t need.”

➡️ “Science shows that vapes contain ingredients that are addictive and could harm different parts of your body.”

➡️ “Quitting is really hard, and I don’t want you to go through that. The best thing is to not start at all.”

Get more advice at cdc.gov/tobacco/tobacco-features/back-to-school.html.

General quit smoking messaging

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Thinking about quitting nicotine? You don’t have to quit in one day — and you can start planning now. Consider what would motivate you to quit, how you can practice healthy stress relief in place of nicotine, and what resources would best support you. Find guidance and free resources at MOTAC.org/quit-tobacco.

Smoke-free housing aimed at renters

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When there’s secondhand smoke or aerosol from electronic smoking devices in your building, it can seep through door frames, vents, floorboards and outlets — harming the health of everyone. Find a list of smoke-free housing options in the Omaha metro at rentsmokefree.org.

Smoke-free housing (property owners)

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Renting smoke-free is a growing trend in multi-unit housing that saves owners money, protects the health of your renters and employees, attracts renters who prefer clean-air housing, and reduces the risk of smoking-related fires. Ready to implement a smoke-free policy? Visit MOTAC.org/housing-toolkit for resources.

How to advocate for a tobacco-free parks policy in Omaha

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Park visitors deserve clean air and litter-free environments, but the City of Omaha has yet to implement a tobacco-free parks policy for its 250+ parks. 🌳 You can help protect our community’s health and greenspaces by contacting your city council representative, signing the MOTAC endorsement form, participating in a park clean-up day and more. Get involved at MOTAC.org/tobacco-free-parks

Learn more about tobacco retailer density in Omaha

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A higher density of tobacco retailers = higher smoking rates in youth and adults, and neighborhoods with lower incomes are most impacted. Easier access to tobacco can also make it more difficult to quit. The good news is licensing and zoning laws to decrease the number and density of tobacco retailers help curb these effects. Learn more about how retailer density impacts our community and get involved at MOTAC.org.

Partner pride post

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[Organization name] is a proud partner of the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition. MOTAC leads Douglas County in addressing tobacco-related issues through public policy, education and community action. We’ve worked with MOTAC to [example of partnership]. You can get involved, too, at MOTAC.org.

Health disparities

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The tobacco industry spends millions of dollars each year to target groups with its harmful products, including people who live in lower income areas, LGBTQ+ people and Black, Indigenous and other people of color. Learn how MOTAC helps address these health disparities in Omaha at MOTAC.org/health-disparities and find out how you can get involved or access free support to quit.

Reducing tobacco advertising

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The Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC) provides convenience store owners and managers a way to reduce tobacco advertising without impacting profits. Contact MOTAC for a free business consultation at MOTAC.org/PromotingPositiveChange

✅ Improve the appearance of your store and neighborhood 

✅ Expand visibility in and outside of the store to increase safety for employees and customers 

✅ Support the health of our community

Eliminating menthol cigarettes

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Did you know? Menthol’s minty flavor can mask the harsh taste of tobacco, make smoke feel easier to inhale and can make it harder to quit smoking. Our city has the opportunity to join more than 230 other municipalities that have eliminated the sale and distribution of mentholated cigarettes and other flavored tobacco — support implementing a policy in Omaha at MOTAC.org/menthol.