NORWAY — Stephens Memorial Hospital recently received a gold level award from the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network for being a health and wellness role model for the community for its anti-tobacco efforts.

SMH was one of 31 Maine hospitals recognized by the Network as part of its annual Gold Star Standards of Excellence program. The program encourages and awards Maine hospitals for meeting best practice standards around creating a tobacco-free environment and supporting tobacco-free lifestyles.

Gold level hospitals must meet at least six of 10 standards, including: creating a 100 percent tobacco-free campus, implementing evidence-based treatment strategies, divesting from tobacco industry stock, promoting smoke-free lodging options for visitors, and providing tobacco treatment and medication benefits for employees.