Stop Nicotine
Nicotine use and exposure to secondhand smoke together represent the number one cause of preventable deaths in this country. SMCHD encourages all nicotine users to stop nicotine use to better support their health and the health of others.
Resources for Stopping Nicotine
Information related to stopping nicotine use for community members by age group.
For Adults
Free SMCHD Cessation Classes & Resources to Help Stop Using Nicotine and Tobacco Products
Additional Educational Resources
SMCHD Campaigns
Vape Aware
A campaign aimed to educate individuals on the harms of using electronic nicotine products
Proud to Be Tobacco Free
PFLAG Southern Maryland and St. Mary’s County Health Department are excited to present our “Proud to be Tobacco Free” Campaign. This aims to educate youth and their families about the harms of substance abuse, including smoking, vaping, etc. and connect them to resources that support wellness & mental health.
Breath Better Together
The Minority Outreach Coalition (MOC) and the St. Mary’s County Health Department are proud to launch the “Breathe Better Together” campaign, a community-focused initiative that empowers minority youth and families with information about the risks of substance use—such as smoking and vaping—and connects them to mental health and wellness resources.
Want to get involved in community action?
Join the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership and connect with others working to improve health in St. Mary’s County. Joining the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership is free and all interested organizations and community members are welcome! The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership offers opportunities to collaborate, support local public health efforts, and help build a healthier, stronger community.
Adult Cessation Support
Nicotine Cessation Program
The Nicotine Cessation Program is FREE and takes place over the course of 6 weeks (weekly 45-60 minute sessions). Participants learn behavioral modifications, stress management, and other techniques to help them quit using products containing nicotine, including cigarettes, cigars, dip, and electronic smoking devices.
Upcoming Sessions:
Classes are held on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 in 6-week sessions.
- August 18 – September 22, 2026
- October 13 – November 17, 2026
- January 12 – February 16, 2027
- March 9 – April 13, 2027
- April 27 – June 1, 2027
Standalone Sessions:
SMCHD and Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital Office of Population and Community Health offer one-time comprehensive sessions. It is encouraged to attend the standalone class prior to enrolling in the 6-week class.
Stand-alone classes are held on select Wednesdays from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.
- July 8, 2026
- August 5, 2026
- September 30, 2026
- December 9, 2026
- January 6, 2027
- February 17, 2027
- April 14, 2027
These sessions, Clearing the Air – Let’s Talk Tobacco, are a free, one-time virtual session designed for adults who want to explore nicotine-free living with practical tools, education, and referrals to community resources, without a long-term commitment. Unlike our multi-week cessation courses, this single session offers a low-pressure way to take the first step toward quitting.
SMCHD is exploring the possibility of launching a Nicotine Cessation Support Group and would love your input! If you’re interested, please complete this form.
American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking Adult Cessation Classes
Over the course of eight sessions led by an expert Freedom From Smoking® facilitator, group participants work through the quitting process together. Seven weeks may sound like a lot of time, but research has proven that the more time a tobacco user spends in a supportive situation while trying to quit, the more likely they are to succeed. People who use the Freedom From Smoking® Group Program are six times more likely to be tobacco-free one year later than those who try to quit on their own.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the most commonly used family of quit-smoking medications. NRT reduces withdrawal feelings by giving you a small controlled amount of nicotine without the dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes. This small amount of nicotine helps satisfy your craving for nicotine and reduces the urge to smoke. Combining NRT with other strategies can improve your chances of quitting and staying quit.
Get Help to Quit
- FREE Maryland Tobacco Quitline available 24/7 – Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- SmokeFree.Gov: Text2Quit app and special resources for veterans, teens, and more!
- Tips from Former Smokers (Como dejar de fumar)
For more info, call (301) 475-4330 or email smchd.healthdept@maryland.gov!
Teen Cessation Support
LiveVapeFree
LiveVapeFree is a program that offers judgement-free support and powerful resources to help you kick vaping to the curb. Join for free and take back control over your life! Maryland teens can text “VAPEFREE” to 873-373 for free help quitting e-cigarettes/vapes.
NOT for Me
NOT for Me is a self-guided, mobile-friendly online program to help teens break nicotine dependency, whether they vape, smoke, or use other tobacco products.
EX Program
Since 2008, EX Program has collaborated with the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center. When you sign up for a free EX Program account, you’ll get access to a flexible, personalized program to help you change your patterns, find support, and explore nicotine replacement therapy.
SmokeFreeTeen
SmokeFreeTeen provides resources and tools, such as personalized quit plans, the quitSTART app, and SmokefreeTXT for Teens, to help teenagers quit smoking and stay tobacco-free.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is the leading organization working to reduce tobacco use and its deadly consequences in the United States and around the world.
Visit our VapeAware page for information about e-cigarettes!
Additional Educational Resources
For Parents & Caregivers
- What You Should Know about E-Cigarettes and Vaping- Parents
- Live Vape Free – Help your teen rise above the clouds and Live Vape Free
- Vaping Conversation Guide
- CDC: E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products Visual Dictionary
- The Vape Files
- How to talk to teens about vaping.
- Addicted: Why Teens Can’t Stop Vaping
Training
Talking to Your Child About Vaping: A Guide for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers is a free one-hour interactive online learning module designed to help parents, guardians, and caregivers talk to their child about vaping and nicotine in the best possible way.
For Clinicians
Trainings and Webinars
For Teachers
School curriculum or programs, including alternatives to suspension:
- Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
- CATCH my breath: E-cigarette & Juul Prevention Program
- INDEPTH: An Alternative to Teen Nicotine Suspension or Citation,
- Vaping: Know the truth, Provided by the Truth Initiative
- Vaping Prevention & Education: Resources for talking with students
- Be Vape Free. Org – Educators
Help Keep Our Community Safe
Have you seen a business selling alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis in a way that doesn’t follow Maryland law?
Whether you’ve noticed a possible violation or want to file a formal complaint, your information can help protect our community and ensure businesses follow the law.
Connect With Us
General Office Hours:
Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Vital Records Processing Hours:
Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Environmental Health Hours:
Mon & Thurs: 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tues, Wed, & Fri: 7:00 am – 4:30 pm
Services
Useful Links
News & Updates
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