Worcester County
Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program

The Worcester County Health Department provides tobacco use prevention and cessation programs through funding provided by the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene through a base tobacco grant and the Cigarette Restitution Fund Program monies.  The Prevention Services unit of the Health Department is responsible for the implementation of these efforts focusing on the four areas designated by the Legislation, community, school-based, enforcement, and cessation.

Community:

• The Community Component utilizes the Tobacco and Cancer Coalition as an advisory group in the implementation of this plan and for identifying future priorities.  The Coalition meets six times a year and includes a cross section of the community.
• Mini grants are offered to community- based groups in order to educate the community about the impact of environmental tobacco smoke and encourage participation in smoking cessation programs. In Fiscal year 2007, $22,500 in mini-grants were awarded to six community based organizations. 
• The Health Department participates in various community outreach efforts including providing educational materials to health care providers' offices, health department sites, community sites, and patient waiting areas; attending health fairs and providing worksite wellness programs.

School-Based:

• Provide grants to pre-school programs, private and public K-12 school, and higher education institutions to provide age appropriate tobacco use prevention education.  Provide teen smoking cessation education programs at all three local public high schools and on as needed basis.
• Named one of six "Best and Promising Programs" for school based component by Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for Fiscal Year 2005.

Enforcement:

• The Worcester County Health Department provides a grant to Worcester County Sheriff's Office to provide youth tobacco access compliance checks.
• Worcester County Health Department developed the Worcester Cares Project in the late 1990's.   The Project consists of three phases:
• Phase 1:  New Vendor Education:  The Worcester County Health Department provides education about youth tobacco access     compliance laws to new tobacco retailers each year.
• Phase 2:  The Worcester County Health Department with the help of youth volunteers, conduct positive reinforcement compliance checks.  Approach uses positive reinforcement (rewards/incentives) for clerks that obey the law.  Reminder notices are issued to businesses where clerks did not ask for ID (letter signed by Sheriff and Health Officer and includes a copy of the tobacco law).
• A list of the names of all retailers that were compliant is compiled and an advertisement is created and place in the local newspaper praising these stores for following the law.
• Phase 3:  Law Enforcement Compliance Checks- conducted by the Worcester County Sheriff's Office.

Cessation:

• Each year, the Worcester County Health Department provides a minimum of 5, twelve-week smoking cessation group classes covering seven educational sessions followed by 5 weeks of social support.  These group classes are offered at rotating locations in Worcester County.   Individual counseling is provided on as needed basis. Professionally trained instructors help the smoker create a supportive environment to break the smoking addiction.  Each smoker learns how to develop an individual plan for quitting. Topics covered include stress management, weight control, assertive communication, and exercise.
• A Registered Dietitian provides education about healthy eating and prevention of weight gain with smoking cessation.
• Vouchers are available if participants would like to add nicotine replacement therapy to their behavioral change efforts. 

For more information about smoking cessation programs or to enroll, please call the Worcester County Health Department, Prevention Center at 410-632-0056.