FREDERICK COUNTY TOBACCO USE PREVENTION AND CESSATION PROGRAM
Frederick County, with a diverse population of 226,585, has 18.2% of adults and 19.5% of youth currently smoking cigarettes. One of the goals of the Frederick County Cigarette Restitution Fund program is to address these prevalence rates with coordinated leadership for tobacco awareness, education, and cessation. Each year grants are awarded to organizations in Frederick County that develop creative ways to educate our community about the dangers of tobacco.
Coalition
The Frederick County Smoke Free Maryland Coalition was established in 1997. It consists of 32 members representing medical professionals, the medically underserved, minority populations, public health providers, law enforcement, and education communities. The coalition's vision is to eliminate the use of tobacco products among Frederick County youth and adults. Goals consist of increasing educational initiatives, decreasing minors' access to tobacco products, and supporting legislative issues for a smoke free MD. Monthly meetings review and assess new tobacco data and report on school, community, cessation, and enforcement activities. Throughout the year, the coalition sponsors tobacco awareness events with games, educational materials, and smoking cessation experts to answer questions.
Community-based
Frederick County provides funding for local groups to carry out grassroots efforts to educate and increase awareness about tobacco related issues. In 2007, 225 tobacco use hazard and secondhand smoke awareness campaigns were introduced, including movie theater advertisements, local newspaper and TV ads, Public Service Announcements on local radio stations, and educational presentations at health fairs and after-school programs. At the local baseball stadium, the CRF program sponsors firework nights with skits done by youth coalition members and smokeless tobacco Public Service Announcements are at all home games.
School-based
Frederick County has 63 public schools with 40,315 students, 18 private schools, 41 preschools accredited by MSDE, 1 community college, and 2 four-year colleges. The CDC approved curricula "Towards No Tobacco" was successfully implemented in the public schools 6th grade classes during 2007. Funding is provided for live performances of a "Stay Tobacco Free" musical to middle and high school students. This is a 60-minute play with hip-hop singing and dancing that delivers the message about the dangers of cigarettes and other tobacco related products. High school health teachers and advisors are trained annually to coordinate peer-led anti-tobacco activities for "Kick Butts" and "World No Tobacco" events.
Cessation
Free "Stop Smoking for Life" classes and support group sessions are offered monthly at the Frederick County Health Department for both adults and youth who are attempting to stop using tobacco products. Topics covered include nicotine addiction, behavior modification, coping with cravings, and relapse prevention. In partnership with Frederick Memorial Hospital Wellness Center, Community Action Agency, and the Collaborating Center for African American Leadership Development, 45 cessation classes were offered with 302 participants during 2007. In addition, 101 individual counseling sessions for medically under-served, women, and minorities were conducted.
Enforcement
Frederick County provides funding to support law enforcement efforts to uphold laws about tobacco. Enforcement partners include Frederick city police department and the county sheriff's office. In 2007, 13 separate tobacco enforcement-training sessions were conducted. In addition, merchant training in tobacco enforcement was provided which included 5 sessions with 27 participants. Also the Frederick City Explorers and other community youth were instructed on how to participate in County compliance checks.
