Enforcement
The enforcement element of the LPHC is an important part of a comprehensive state tobacco control program. The two primary areas of enforcement are restricting minors’ access to tobacco products and restricting smoking in public places. The CDC and the Task Force to End Smoking in Maryland recommends enforcement of existing tobacco laws as Best Practice. FY08 Changes in Public PolicyStatewideThe fall 2007 Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly increased the excise tax on a pack of cigarettes sold in Maryland from $1.00 to $2.00 per pack effective January 1, 2008. Effective February 1, 2008, Maryland’s Clean Indoor Air Law went into effect, effectively prohibiting smoking in all Maryland indoor places of employment and indoor public areas. Jurisdiction Specific ChangesBoth the Garrett County and Carroll County delegations sought and received permission to implement civil penalties for the sale of tobacco products to minors and to specify the amount of those penalties. This continues a trend of local jurisdictions opting for a civil framework as opposed to the current statewide framework of solely criminal penalties for such offenses. Programmatic efforts:In order to reduce illegal sales of tobacco products to under-age youth, local health departments: Educate tobacco vendors about Maryland’s tobacco laws and partner with local law enforcement agencies to conduct under-age sales compliance checks and product placement checks Partner with local law enforcement agencies to issue citations to youth for illegal possession of tobacco products and refer youth to tobacco education or cessation programs Enforcing tobacco laws deters violators and makes a public statement that community leaders believe in and support tobacco control. In a comprehensive tobacco control program, enforcement supports the other components in creating an environment where tobacco use is not the norm. In FY 07:
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