MaineHealth hospitals given top marks for anti-tobacco efforts
All MaineHealth member hospitals in the state have been awarded the top grade for tobacco-free initiatives from the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network.
The awards, an initiative of the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine, recognizes hospitals in the state for addressing tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke through evidence-based policies and procedures, MaineHealth said in a news release Thursday.
The standards include creating a tobacco-free campus, implementing treatment strategies for patients, divesting from tobacco industry stock, promoting smoke-free lodging options for visitors and providing tobacco treatment and medication benefits to employees.
“Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Maine,” Kenneth Lewis, director of the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence, said in a statement. “This award highlights the commitment of all MaineHealth hospitals to promoting tobacco-free initiatives, and brings us closer to achieving our vision of creating the healthiest communities in America.”
Donald Watson, pharmacy manager for clinical initiatives at Maine Medical Center in Portland, also received the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network Gold Star Champion designation for demonstrating strong leadership and advocacy for tobacco-free environments and resources.
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