Local Hospital Receives Gold Star for Promoting a Tobacco-Free Community

The Aroostook Medical Center was recognized by the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network for creating a tobacco-free environment for the community.

“As an important health resource for the community, it’s essential for TAMC to set the standard for others to follow,” said Sylvia Getman, TAMC President & CEO. “Tobacco use leads to a variety of serious health issues, and we want to do whatever we can to give people the help they need to quit.”

Nearly 27 percent of adults who live in the County smoke, which is significantly higher than the state average of 22 percent. Aroostook County also has high rates of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer, diseases that can be caused or made worse by smoking.

TAMC met all 10 criteria set by the Tobacco-Free Hospital Network. Some of the criteria included: having written policies alert patients and staff that TAMC is 100 percent tobacco-free, also making treatment options available for those who want to quit.

The hospital, which has been tobacco-free for 11 years, is one of 31 hospitals to be recognized with a gold star in 2012, and one of only 18 hospitals to achieve the highest level of recognition indicating that all 10 standards were met.

“Hospitals should be health and wellness role models for their communities, so it's important for them to set an example around reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Sarah Mayberry, director of the Maine Tobacco‑Free Hospital Network. “The Gold Star Standards of Excellence program is an opportunity to celebrate the hard work at TAMC and the other Maine hospitals to address this issue."