The Maine Tobacco Free Hospital Network has presented a Gold Star Award to Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln. The awards are given to 10 Maine hospitals each year for demonstrating leadership in and progress toward adopting tobacco-free policies that protect the health of their patients, staff, and community. Doug Diekmann of the American Cancer Society presented the plaque to hospital CEO David A. Shannon (left) and S.P.R.I.N.T. for Life Coordinator Jeremy Weatherbee (center). S.P.R.I.N.T. for Life is a grant-funded division of PVH which focuses on substance abuse education and promotes healthy lifestyles. With offices in downtown Lincoln, the program also does extensive work within the local school system.

“PVH is committed to ensuring the best environment for care,” says Shannon. “We also want to do what we can to help patients and employees quit smoking, which leads to lower health care costs.” Shannon says the hospital’s efforts are just an extension of what S.P.R.I.N.T. for Life has already been doing throughout the community, and he’s glad the hospital is able to be a part of that cause.

The American Cancer Society says establishing a tobacco-free environment in hospitals sets a clear example of good health practices and puts patients, visitors, and employees first by providing a healthy, tobacco-free atmosphere. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States for both men and women, with 30% of all cancer deaths caused by tobacco use.