Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation

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

For information about the Tobacco Program, call 410-887-0565 or email tobacco@baltimorecountymd.gov.

FREE HELP TO QUIT SMOKING

Free classes are being offered to help residents quit tobacco and vape use. Free nicotine replacement patches, gum, lozenges and Chantix (with prescription) are available to those attending.

VIRTUAL CLASSES

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.

Register to attend one of the following virtual series:

  • InControl—This class series is offered by the Baltimore County Department of Health once a week for five weeks. Get personal assistance and help with quitting tobacco or vaping. Register online, or by calling or emailing the Tobacco Program.
  • Fresh Start—This class series is offered by by MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center once a week for four weeks. To register, call 855-218-2435.

ONE-ON-ONE CLASSES

The Baltimore County Tobacco Program offers free one-on-one support services at the following locations:

Call or email the Tobacco Program to schedule an appointment.

If a child or teen in your life is vaping or using other tobacco products, you may not know where to turn. Call or email the Tobacco Program to receive free support and guidance.

There are many other ways to get help quitting. The Maryland Quitline provides free confidential 24/7 quit support. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, text "Ready" to 200-400 or enroll online. The Quitline offers various programs tailored to specific needs or circumstances. This includes programs for:

  • Teens and young adults age 13 and older
  • Adults age 18 and older
  • Parents and expectant parents
  • Individuals with behavioral health conditions

To learn more, visit the Smoking Stops Here website.

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

REQUEST 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.

APPLY FOR TOBACCO EDUCATION FUNDING

Baltimore County Department of Health Bureau of Community Health Services, is pleased to announce the availability of 3 Tobacco Education Grant opportunities for fiscal year 2025. The proposals selected for funding will be those that best meet the requirements and objectives as outlined in the application. 

Interested organizations will be required to complete the Community Grant application and Baltimore County Financial Assistance Application. Any questions may be directed to tobacco@baltimorecountymd.gov or 410-887-0575

FY25 Community tobacco education program

Up to $7,500 is available to multiple organizations to provide tobacco prevention, education and awareness programs to youth (8-15 years of age) and adults in Baltimore County. Funding is available for faith-based and youth-focused organizations through the Community Tobacco Education Program. Special consideration will be given to organizations that serve diverse communities, such as LGBTQ+, Black/African American and Hispanic/ Latino.

FY25 Menthol Tobacco Education Program

Up to $7,500 is available to one community-based organization to raise awareness about the dangers of menthol tobacco products for both youth and adults in Baltimore County. Organizations must address the effects of menthol tobacco products on Black/African American communities. 

FY25 Tobacco Retailer Education Grant

Community-based, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for funding, up to $25,000, to educate tobacco retailers in Baltimore County. The funded organization must provide education to tobacco retailers and promote awareness of and compliance with tobacco sales laws. The proposals selected will be those that best demonstrate organizational capacity and willingness to conduct activities within the scope of service. 

Upcoming Events

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APPLY TO BECOME A YOUTH TOBACCO COMPLIANCE ASSISTANT

Tobacco Compliance Assistants are an essential part of the Tobacco Program team. Youth work with Tobacco Compliance Specialists to attempt to purchase tobacco products. Tobacco Compliance Assistants must:

  • Be between 18 and 20.5 years of age
  • Be non-tobacco users
  • Have a Maryland, government-issued photo ID

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To apply, contact the Tobacco Program.

INFORMATION FOR TOBACCO RETAILERS

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 30 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—$1,000
    • Third or subsequent violation—On November 7, Bill 64-24—Penalties and Enforcement for Distribution of Tobacco Products and Electronic Smoking—went into effect. Tobacco retailers who are issued a third or subsequent violation within a two-year period will be issued a fine in the amount of $3,000. The Tobacco Enforcement program will start enforcing this ruling on January 1, 2025.
  • Not checking photo identification of individuals under the age of 30
    • 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.