FARMINGTON — The Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network, a program of the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine, recently recognized 33 Maine hospitals through the annual Gold Star Standards of Excellence program during a recognition event at the Maine Hospital Association. The program encourages and awards Maine hospitals for meeting best practice standards around creating a tobacco-free environment and supporting tobacco-free lifestyles.

Franklin Memorial Hospital was one of 26 hospitals statewide to receive the highest Gold Star award level (gold). It has achieved this level every year since the program’s inception, being cited as meeting all 10 best practice standards around creating a tobacco-free environment and supporting tobacco-free lifestyles.

“Franklin Memorial Hospital is pleased to receive this recognition and set an example for other organizations in our community,” Gerald Cayer, vice president, said. “Keeping our campus tobacco-free not only impacts the health of employees, patients and visitors by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, but also communicates the critical message that tobacco use is exceptionally hazardous to health.”