Kamenetz Considers Tougher Rules for Employees Who Smoke

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz wants to help county employees who smoke kick the habit and said he would consider tougher restrictions on where employees can light up.

Kamenetz made his comments during an interview outside Woodlawn High School following a news conference to announce the Smoke-free Homes and Cars campaign.

"I really want to do a stronger campaign for county employees," Kamenetz said. "Something to set the example."

One possible component of the campaign could include providing additional help for employees who want to stop smoking.

Kamenetz said he would also consider tougher rules on where they can catch a smoke.

"I'm going to look into it," Kamenentz said, adding that smoking cessation "has been an issue for me.

"It's a preventable death," said Kamenetz, who grew up working in an Overlea pharmacy owned by his father.

The county provides free smoking cessation classes to county residents. A program also provides free nicotine replacement gum and lozenges.

Currently, employees who smoke are not prohibited from doing so outside on county property. Typically smokers can be seen congregating on the edges of the county office complex in Towson.

The idea of completely banning smoking on the county government campus and outside county government buildings is not new.

has banned students and employees from smoking anywhere on campus.

Dr. Michelle Gourdine first raised the idea of a total ban with the County Council about six years ago when she was the county's heatlh officer. Kamenetz was a council member at that time.

Kamenetz gave no timeline for the possible changes.

"Some of the changes would likely have to be negotiated as a condition of employment," Kamenetz said.

The county executive was one a number of county elected and schools officials who attended a news conference to kick off the Smoke-free Cars and Homes Campaign.

As part of the campaign, county health department employees will distribute materials throughout the county at various events and ask people to voluntarily pledge to not smoke around children in their cars and homes.

The group is also hoping to get the word out about the campaign through the use of 5,000 car decals.

"We're hoping you will use this campaign to inform family and friends on the dangers of secand-hand smoke," said Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Branch. "Opening a window or putting on a fan doesn't diminish the exposure."

Four schools are currently participating in the effort including Woodlawn High School, Golden Ring Middle School, Bais Yakov School for Girls and the Imagine Discovery Public Charter School.

Superintendent Joe A. Hairston said students exposed to second-hand smoke are missing more days of school, tend to have more behavioral issues and are more likely to have poor academic performance.

"This campaign is not only vital to the health of our children it's vital to their academic success. Your academic success," Hairston told students who gathered outside the high school.