Tobacco Use Prevention

The Baltimore County Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program provides education and assistance to local individuals and groups regarding tobacco use, prevention and cessation. The Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program has four goals:

• Prevent initiation of tobacco and electronic smoking devices among youth and adults
• Protect residents from secondhand smoke
• Eliminate disparities related to tobacco use and its effect on different populations
• Help residents quit smoking

Free Help to Quit Smoking

Free virtual classes are being offered to help residents quit tobacco and vape use. These programs use a positive behavior change approach and help participants develop their own plan on how to quit. By the end of the program, participants will learn about reducing stress, cravings, withdrawal symptoms and how to control weight gain while resisting the urge to smoke.

Free nicotine replacement patches, gum, lozenges and Chantix (with prescription) is available to those attending cessation classes.

Online Classes

Register to attend one of the following classes. InControl class is a series of five sessions (one class a week for five weeks) and Fresh Start class is a series of four sessions (one class a week for four weeks).

• InControl Program by Baltimore County Department of Health
  Every Monday, May 2 to June 6 (except for Memorial Day), from 6 to 7 p.m.
  Baltimore County Public Library–Hereford Branch
  To register, call 410-887-0565 or email tobacco@baltimorecountymd.gov.

• InControl Program by Baltimore County Department of Health
  Every Tuesday, April 12 to May 10, from noon to 1 p.m.
  To register, call 410-887-0565 or email tobacco@baltimorecountymd.gov.

• Fresh Start Virtual Program by MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
  Every Wednesday, April 6 to April 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  To register, call 855-218-2435.

• Walk–in Personal Assistance (English or Spanish)
  Get help with quitting tobacco or vaping.
  Every Tuesday, starting April 5, from 4 to 7 p.m.
  Baltimore County Public Library–North Point Branch
  For appointments email tobacco@baltimorecountymd.gov.

• Fresh Start Program by MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
  Every Thursday, May 19 to June 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.
  Crawford Conference Center (Garden Entrance)
  To register, call 855-218-2435. 

Individual counseling is also available by phone, for English call 410-887-0592 or Spanish, call 443-257-8384.

Call the 24/7 Quitline

If you're unable to attend an event, help is still available. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free phone counseling and nicotine replacement patches. The Quitline is open 24/7 for those 13 years of age and older. English and other languages are available.

Self-Help Resources

This list of self-help resources is for educational assistance only. No endorsement of any program is intended.

• American Cancer Society
  8219 Town Center Drive
  White Marsh, Maryland 21236
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345

• American Heart Association
  415 North Charles Street
  Baltimore, Maryland 21201
  Phone: 410-560-2120

• American Lung Association
  211 East Lombard Street, Suite 260
  Baltimore, Maryland  21202
  Phone: 443-451-4950

• Baltimore City Department of Health
  1001 East Fayette Street
  Baltimore, Maryland 21202
  Phone: 410-396-1438

Community Funding Opportunities

Community, youth and faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply for tobacco education funding, up to $5,000, to conduct a tobacco education program in Baltimore County. The Department intends to award funding to at least 10 organizations whose proposals best meet the needs of the County. 

Outreach

Program staff are available to attend events, offer resources and provide information to individuals and groups. To request staff attendance or materials to provide at outreach events, complete the Community Event Request Form.

Sales to Underage Youth

The Baltimore County Department of Health is responsible for enforcing laws that restrict youth access to tobacco. In Baltimore County, it is illegal to:

• Sell tobacco products to underage persons (effective October 1, 2019 the legal age of purchase is 21)
• Have tobacco products stored or displayed within reach of the public
• Sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 27 without checking photo identification

Violation of the tobacco laws can result in the following fines:

• Sale of tobacco products to underage persons (effective October 1, 2019 the legal age of purchase is 21)
  • First violation—$500
  • Second violation—$1000
  • Third or subsequent violation—$1500
• Not checking photo identification of individuals under the age of 27
  • First violation—warning
  • Second violation—$100
  • Third or subsequent violation—$250

A retailer's license to sell tobacco may be suspended or revoked if repeated violations occur.

Report Retail Violations

To report retailers who violate the law or to file a complaint, call 410-887-0575 or email tobacco@baltimorecountymd.gov.