FARMINGTON – Years ago, smokers were offered celery and carrot sticks to help them stop smoking. Now there is so much more available including a social structure to support the smoker, said Bonnie Bickford, a representative of the American Cancer Society.

Bickford was at Franklin Memorial Hospital on Wednesday to present the organization a Gold Star Award for its tobacco-free policy. The Maine Tobacco Free Hospital Network, in association with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, will present 10 Maine hospitals with Gold Star awards for leadership and progress made toward adopting tobacco-free policies.

The Smoke-Out, now 31 years old, is held on the third Thursday of every November to encourage smokers to quit smoking, Bickford said.

“As a leader in the community,” Bickford said, “the hospital is held to a higher standard and is expected to tell the community what health measures need to be taken.”

Hospitals across the country are meeting the adverse effects of tobacco smoke by starting tobacco-free policies on their grounds as an example to follow for a healthier, clean-air environment.

FMH, a leader in tobacco-free hospitals, adopted a change in policy in 2006 that will prohibit employees and volunteers from using tobacco products in their personal vehicles on the hospital campus starting July 1, 2008.

Approximately 100 of the 800 employed still smoke, said Sandy Richard, co-chairwoman of the Franklin Community Health Network and a member of the Maine Tobacco Free Hospital Network. She submitted the application for the award. But, more treatment services are available to help them reduce their smoking, she said.

FMH meets eight of 10 gold star standards set by the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network that secured the award for it.

“There are many reasons to celebrate eliminating smoking,” Bickford said. “If people who didn’t smoke, didn’t start, and smokers stopped now, there would be a huge decrease in cancer.”

Emphysema and other lung-related issues would also be reduced, she added.

Recognizing the role of Tom Hagerstrom and Sandy Richard through the Wellness Team at the hospital, Leah Binder, vice president, acknowledged leadership from the top stating that President Batt has been outspoken within the state about developing smoke-free campuses. No other hospital in Maine, she said, has that policy. Batt, she added, has been willing to step out and try new things.

For those who are ready to stop smoking, or even reduce their smoking, the Cancer Society suggests using today, the Great American Smokeout, as the day to quit. To double a smoker’s chance of quitting, smokers may contact the Maine Tobacco Helpline at 800-207-1230 or the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.

The American Cancer Society is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the number above. For online support or downloadable resources, visit www.cancer.org/smokeout.