The Partnership recognizes tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke as major risk factors in most of the health improvement areas we seek to impact.

Tobacco use is a major cause of diseases of almost every system of the body – cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, bones, teeth, eyes and is a leading cause of many cancers.

We firmly believe that individuals and organizations in Carroll County, with diverse skills, respectful work relationships, a willingness to be innovative, and a shared healthier community vision, can improve the health and quality of life in our community.

Therefore, in 2007 The Partnership established the Smoke-Free Carroll County Coalition to:

• Eliminate toxic secondhand smoke exposure from indoor public spaces in our state.
• Educate adults about the particular impact second-hand smoke has on children.
• Encourage the elimination of tobacco smoke in cars or homes with children.
• Assist those currently smoking who would like to try to quit that addictive activity.
• Advocate smoke-free lifestyles for everyone in our community

The Maryland Clean Air Act of 2007 prohibiting indoor smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants, went into effect on February 1, 2008. The new regulations have been a huge success locally. 

SFCC Coalition Update – February, 2009

After careful consideration, The Partnership let the membership know in 2009 of the following changes to the Smoke-Free Carroll County Coalition:

1. Elimination of smoking and exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke is a priority of our organization. This status assures a long-term focus and attention to this critical health risk factor.
2. Our Core Health Improvement Area Leadership Teams will consider smoke-free and tobacco-free elements as they create their health improvement strategies and action plans whenever appropriate.
3. The Cigarette Restitution Fund Program (CRFP) based at the Carroll County Health Department is the lead organization in the County working to reduce tobacco use and exposure to tobacco.
4. Smoke-Free Carroll County Coalition meetings will no longer be held. The CRFP’s Tobacco Coalition meetings are open to all. Please visit the Carroll County Health Department's website for more information. We encourage you to lend your support to this work.
   

Accomplishments of the Coalition

• On behalf of the Coalition, Tricia Supik sent a letter requesting that standard guidelines be established by the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, so there will be consistency in determining exceptions to the Clean Indoor Air Act across the state.
• In Fall 2007, letters were sent out by Cigarette Restitution Fund Program staff at Carroll County Health Department.  The letters also contained information about Chantix to help smokers trying to quit.
• Lexi Schafer wrote an article that appeared in the doctors' newsletter “SCOPE” regarding the physicians' role in cessation.  
• While a video, “Toxic Truth” was reviewed and deemed too graphic to be given to doctors to put in their waiting room/office area for patients to view, other literature about smoking cessation has been given to doctors’ offices.
• The Partnership is distributing new “No Smoking” signs to 120 businesses in 2010.
• In November 2009, The Partnership sponsored a training for staff and health professionals, entitled “Strategies for Tobacco Cessation”, which was presented by Dr. Kevin Ferentz, University of Maryland.

If you would like more information, please contact Dorothy Fox at 410-871-6373 or DLFox@CarrollHospitalCenter.org.

Page updated: 10/11