Garrett County Health Department  

Community

Nine community groups conduct tobacco prevention activities throughout the year using mini-grants that they receive through Garrett County's CRF Program. Many activities occurred in conjunction with the Great American Smoke-out, during which 47 adults pledged to quit for the event and 27 were successful. A local grocer donated 10 lb. turkeys for all those who quit "cold turkey." In January, community groups and work sites will be recruiting spit tobacco users to quit for the Garrett County Rub-Out on Jan. 24th.  

Enforcement

Health department staff, with the support of the Garrett County Tobacco Free Coalition, received the support of the County Commissioners, Senator George Edwards, and Delegate Wendell Beitzel to introduce local legislation that will make Tobacco Sales to Minors a civil offense rather than a criminal one.   

Cessation

10-week smoking cessation classes are offered on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Through a voucher program with local pharmacies, participants can access free or low-cost pharmacological aids including the nicotine patch, Zyban, Chantix, or nicotine gum. Individual counseling is also available for pregnant women as well as parents/caregivers of children 1 year or younger. Preliminary follow-up results show that the quit rates for participants who used Chantix at 1 year post-class are approximately 20% higher than previous results with nicotine patch and Zyban. Follow-up is ongoing.   

School

In the k-12 schools, a health educator for the health department offers the TEG (Tobacco Education Group) program to those students caught with tobacco on school property. Project TNT is taught in all 6th grade classrooms. At the college level, Garrett College has posted signs all over campus as part of a social norm campaign. Cessation services are also being offered on campus.  
 
For more information about any of the Garrett County Health Department programs, contact Mike Wilburn or Kendra Todd at 301-334-7730.