Under the countermarketing effort, DHMH will coordinate a statewide media campaign to counter tobacco advertisements and discourage the use of tobacco products. The local public health initiative calls for DHMH to distribute funds to community health coalitions through local health departments for anti-tobacco programs that are consistent with recommendations established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Maryland's Task Force to End Smoking. To receive funds, a coalition must submit a comprehensive plan. Funds will be based on a formula involving the number of individuals and minors who use tobacco products. The purpose of the Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment Program is to reduce illness and death from cancer in minority populations and the general population.
Components are similar to the tobacco program.
Under a local public health component, DHMH will award funds to community health coalitions through local health departments, based on a comprehensive plan. The coalitions must consist of a wide-range of individuals and organizations and must include major community hospitals in coalitions formed in Baltimore City, and Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince George's counties. A statewide academic health center component includes public health and research grants for the University of Maryland Medical Group and the Johns Hopkins Institutions. In conjunction with the Baltimore City Health Department, the academic health centers will form a community health coalition to develop comprehensive cancer plans.