Carroll County Health Department: Agency to become tobacco-free

As the county's leading public health agency, the Carroll County Health Department is proud to announce the implementation of a new tobacco-free policy. While smoking has long been prohibited in the building, starting April 20, tobacco use will no longer be allowed on the entire campus including sidewalks, parking lots and personal vehicles.
This policy is part of our ongoing mission to create and sustain a community of wellness in Carroll County. Any tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke, carries a health hazard for which there is no risk-free level of exposure.
Tobacco free policies are becoming widespread and many feel that it is overdue. Carroll Hospital Center, Springfield Hospital, Carroll Community College and Target, Inc. are other county organizations who have led the way in implementing tobacco-free campuses. The objective of these policies is not to force people to quit, although we hope that some will consider it. Tobacco free policies are designed to protect people's health and safety, improve employee health and make work sites a place where healthful choices are easy choices.
The health department started planning for the implementation of the new policy more than six months ago. An employee committee with both smokers and nonsmokers was established to craft the policy and create an implementation plan. Earth Day was chosen as the date to reinforce the commitment we are making to create a healthier environment.
As we move forward with the plan we look forward to the many advantages of a tobacco-free campus:
A cleaner environment. Cigarettes are the most littered item in the U.S. and can take decades to degrade. Toxic residue from the filters is harmful to children, water supplies and wildlife.
A safer environment. The elimination of smoking around the building and on the grounds provides our clients of all ages, visitors, volunteers and employees, protection from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Less fire risk. A discarded cigarette can smolder for up to three hours. Discarded cigarette butts are a fire hazard especially in locations that use bark mulch for landscaping.
Changing the social norm for tobacco use. Implementation of tobacco-free policies has been associated with a decrease in tobacco use. The tobacco use rate for adults in Carroll County in 2008 was 14.4 percent for adults and 15.3 percent for underage youth. As tobacco use becomes less convenient, some will choose to quit and we can look forward to even lower tobacco use rates in the future.
The Carroll County Health Department has been offering tobacco cessation programs to Carroll County residents for many years and has assisted several organizations in creating a tobacco-free campus. Information on quitting tobacco and tobacco-free campuses is available through the Cigarette Restitution Fund Program at 410 876-4443 or 410-876-4429.