PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM

Prince George's County, a majority Minority County, recognizes that minorities are disproportionately affected by the ills associated with tobacco use.  To this end, a comprehensive array of services is available to prevent the initiation of tobacco use and to promote cessation among users.  Among these services are Community-based, Cessation, School-based, and Enforcement efforts.

Community-based

• There are five (5) community-based providers that offer prevention education and outreach services to priority populations, which include African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-American women, low-socio-economic status (SES), and the homeless.
• Services employ a variety of approaches, both traditional and non-traditional, and are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Partnerships and collaborations are promoted, encouraged and fostered among service provider groups, including faith-based organizations. 

School-based

The Program has two school-based programs.  One of the programs is operated by the Public School System, K through 12.  This program utilizes the CDC approved Life Skills Training (LST) curriculum in elementary and middle schools.  School based services are also extended to several alternative schools and private schools.  LST teaches students decision-making skills; promotes positive self esteem, and prepares them to make the correct choice not to start using tobacco products. 

The other program is with the University of Maryland and provides structured prevention services and a variety of traditional and non-traditional cessation approaches, including acupuncture and stress management techniques, to University faculty, staff and students.

Cessation

Through a network, the Program provides free cessation services at numerous sites throughout the County.  Traditional and non-traditional services, including hypnotherapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and standard cessation counseling are offered at no cost to the recipients.  These services also target African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Asian-Americans, including Koreans, Chinese, and Vietnamese, as well as women, including women of childbearing age and low SES.

Enforcement

This County was among the first jurisdictions in the State to pass a smoking ban in eating and drinking establishments.  With a history of progressive advocacy and policy proposals, the County again was one of the first to pass legislation prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors.  The Program also successfully proposed local legislation that was enacted to ban the sale of single cigarettes to anyone of any age.  Finally, in the area of policy and enforcement, the Program sought and obtained an opinion which required tobacco vendors to cease selling all tobacco products, not just cigarettes, during suspensions after receiving citations for selling cigarettes to individuals under age 18.  Two enforcement officers and four decoys operate one of the most effective enforcement programs in the State.