BRUNSWICK — The Maine Hospital Association in Augusta Breathe Easy Coalition celebrated the efforts of Maine hospitals to address smoking and tobacco use on their campuses. The event highlighted the 2016 Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program award winners including Mid Coast Hospital.

“Hospitals are health and wellness role models for their communities, so it is important for them to set an example around reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Sarah Mayberry of the Breathe Easy Coalition. “The Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Maine hospitals to create policies to address these issues.”

The annual Gold Star Standards of Excellence program recognizes health care organizations for their efforts to address best practice standards around tobacco use, exposure and quitting supports. Mid Coast Hospital was recognized at the gold in the 2016 program.