AUGUSTA — The Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network recently recognized 31 Maine hospitals through the 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.

All Maine hospitals that meet at least six of the 10 standards are invited to apply, and they are recognized at the gold, silver or bronze level depending on the number of standards they have met. The Gold Star standards of excellence include 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.

Franklin Memorial Hospital and Stephens Memorial Hospital met the Gold Level standards. Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary’s Health Systems met the Silver Level standards.