TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM

In fiscal year 2000, the State of Maryland was awarded funds through the Cigarette Restitution Fund and Howard County obtained funding for planning and implementing tobacco programs. These programs target three areas of tobacco use:

• Prevention
• Cessation
• Enforcement

The Tobacco Control Programs sponsored by the Howard County Health Department provide community based prevention services by partnering with local agencies to implement anti-smoking campaigns. Cessation and tobacco education programs are offered to Howard County residents and employees.

The Health Department's tobacco enforcement program assures that tobacco sales to minors are restricted. Enforcement staff issues citations when there are violations of the laws and vendors have the opportunity to attend educational workshops regarding tobacco placement and sales to minors.

If you have information concerning a violation of the placement of tobacco products, the unlawful distribution of tobacco products, or any other concerns, please contact the tobacco enforcement hotline at
1 866-313-6300.

Adolescent statistics:

• 13.5% of Howard County Middle and High School students use cigarettes
• 51.3% of Howard County 12th graders have ever used cigarettes
• 10.8% of adolescents use other tobacco products
• 29% of youths live in households with a smoker
• 51% of vendors illegally sell cigarettes to minors

Sources: The 1998 MD Adolescent Survey and the 2001 Tobacco Survey

Other tobacco statistics:

• 400,000 people die each year in the US due to tobacco
• 10.7% Howard County Adults smoke
• 6.7% Howard County Adults use other tobacco products

Sources: 2001 Tobacco Survey and Healthy People 2000

Contact the Tobacco Control Program at: 410-313-7677,
or toll-free at: 1-866-313-6300.