Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
Tobacco Use Prevention & Cessation Overview
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 6,841 Marylanders are estimated to die prematurely ever year due to cigarette smoking, and additional 1,600 Marylanders will die from exposure to secondhand smoke. The only way to reduce the human and economic costs of smoking and tobacco use on Marylanders and the economy is to reduce the use of all tobacco products.
The tobacco use prevention and cessation unit of the Center for Health Promotion, Education and Tobacco Use Prevention (CHP) uses a foundation of community partners, state agencies, and local health departments to implement evidence-based strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use in the state of Maryland. CHP’s goal is for a tobacco free society for all Marylanders.
Several recent steps have been made toward reaching this goal:
- The Maryland Clean Indoor Air Act: This law went into effect on February 1, 2008, and prohibits indoor smoking in nearly all public places including bars and restaurants. This reduces secondhand smoke exposure to others;
- The increase of the tobacco excise tax to $2.00 per pack;
- The launch of the FREE Maryland Tobacco, 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). This service is in place to help tobacco users who are ready to quit!
As a result of these programmatic efforts, youth and adult smoking rates have been on the decline. Learn more about our programs:
New! Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan
On July 26, 2011, the Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan was released! Click here to view the "Tobacco Use Prevention/Cessation and Lung Cancer" Chapter, which outlines statewide tobacco control goals, objectives and strategies for reducing tobacco use among Maryland youth and adults. Click here to view the entire Cancer Control Plan.