::Tobacco-Use Prevention
Since 90 percent of smokers begin before the age of 18, the Lung Association has been engaged in tobacco use prevention activities primarily targeting youth. Youth-based programs provide an opportunity to empower youth to serve as agents of change and advocates for tobacco-free communities and schools.

Baltimore County Tobacco Information and Resource Network
Through funding from the Baltimore County Health Department's Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program, the American Lung Association of Maryland is providing a comprehensive community tobacco control program. Information and Free resources on local Community Programs, Quitting Smoking, Secondhand Smoke, and upcoming tobacco control events in Baltimore County. Visit us online at www.bctobaccofree.org or call us at 1-888-887-0123.

Tobacco-Free School Environments
The misperception exists that most teenagers smoke; the truth is that NOT smoking is the norm in that group—only about 18% of teens are tobacco users. The American Lung Association of Maryland has developed a school-based program—Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools—to promote the tobacco-free social norm within the school community and to reduce and prevent tobacco use among teens.

Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools is a program based on the Centers for Disease Control School Health Guidelines to Prevent Tobacco Use and Addiction. This program utilizes all seven components of the CDC Guidelines that provide an ongoing educational environment about the hazards of tobacco and about how the tobacco industry markets its deadly products to youth.

Components of the program include: providing educational materials and training for staff and students on activities and strategies to promote the tobacco-free social norm promoting opportunities for students to be involved in peer education and community service programs that reinforce their commitment to be tobacco free; to promote the tobacco free social norm; and to support counseling and cessation programs for students, parents, and staff who want to quit smoking.

Toxic Soup
Toxic Soup is an educational program that graphically depicts the poisons found in tobacco and the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke. This interactive lesson provides a visual representation of the toxins found in tobacco smoke. The purpose of the program is to show that the public is adequately warned about the poison in most consumer products but not warned at all when the same toxins are found in tobacco and tobacco smoke. This program can be utilized in many settings from the classroom to health fairs.

::Smoking Cessation
Adult Cessation
The American Lung Association of Maryland is pleased to provide you with this tobacco cessation resource guide. Many individuals who are quitting smoking find that the support provided by a group or individual counseling program can be helpful in the quitting process.

The American Lung Association of Maryland's cessation programs are based on the Stages of Change model and utilize the most up-to-date information on pharmacotherapy treatments available. 

• Freedom From Smoking® Group Clinic Program
  An 8-session group program led by trained experts. The program uses a positive behavior change approach that teaches the smoker how to become a nonsmoker. It provides key information on behavior modification, stress management, weight control and staying smoke-free for good. The Freedom From Smoking® program has been extensively evaluated with an average quit rate of 27 percent at one year.
• Training and Technical Assistance
  Facilitators for the clinic programs are trained in a comprehensive two-day training conducted by nationally-certified Lung Association staff. The two-day training provides key information on group dynamics, facilitation skills, nicotine addiction, problem-solving and working with problem participants, and stages of change in
  smoking cessation.
• Freedom From Smoking Online
  This 7-module program is free to those who want to quit smoking in the privacy of their home. It provides the same high quality information as the group clinic program. Click on the "Freedom from Smoking" graphic on the Home Page of the American Lung Association National website. 
• American Lung Association HelpLine: 1-800-LUNG-USA
  Our HelpLine is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists.  The HelpLine is available from 6 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday. Staff can provide answers to smoking cessation, general medication, and lung-health questions.
• The Quit Kit
  The Quit Kit is a free smoking cessation packet that includes a booklet of tips for quitting successfully, a summary of nicotine replacement medications, strategies for weight control and a listing of smoking cessation programs in local communities.

For more information on any of these cessation programs, please e-mail info@marylandlung.org.

:: Community-Based Advocacy
Effective community advocacy begins with building a collaborative framework within which a community can combine its information, energy, and other resources. The American Lung Association of Maryland provides a key collaborative component in working with community groups and businesses in advocating for policies that protect lung health. For more than two decades, our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to advocate for changes in public policy to:

• Restrict youth access to tobacco products.
• Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke in public places and businesses.
• Provide access to tobacco cessation.
• Enforce existing tobacco control policies.
• Educate communities about ways to help clean the air

The Lung Association was a key founding organizer of Smoke Free Maryland, and we continue to work collaboratively with local and state coalitions to implement educational programs and policies that promote tobacco-free environments.

Become an "E-Advocate" and Support Lung Association Issues!
Here’s a chance for your voice to be heard! The American Lung Association of Maryland encourages all citizens to become involved in advocating for policies that protect lung health and prevent lung disease. As a voter, you have the power to persuade your elected officials to support policies that protect the lung health of you and your family. Tobacco smoke exposure continues to be a leading cause of death and no one should have to breathe tobacco smoke where they work or dine. Please join us in advocating for smoke-free environments for all Marylanders. As an e-advocate you can make your voice heard in this issue and others, including air quality and asthma. For more information, or to sign up, click here.

E-mail tobaccocessation@marylandlung.org to request more information on how to quit smoking or other cessation issues.

Resources
American Lung Association National  www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22937
State of Tobacco Control 2004  www.lungaction.org/reports/reportcard04.tcl?geo_area_id=24
Freedom From Smoking On-Line  www.ffsonline.org
Lung Cancer Treatment Decision Tools  www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=38494
www.myicoach.com
www.smokingstopshere.com
Tobacco Cessation Guideline  www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids  www.tobaccofreekids.org
Smokefree Maryland  www.smokefreemd.org
American Cancer Society  www.cancer.org
Baltimore County Tobacco Resource Center www.bctobaccofree.org