October 17, 2012

Presentation Outline

Who We Are Introduction to MTFHN and Gold Star Standards Introduction to MTFCN and Gold Star Standards Establishing a Recognition Program Conclusions Questions

Learning Objectives Assess tobacco-free policies and initiatives for health

care and college/university settings. Describe the ten policy standards in the Maine Gold

Star Standards of Excellence tobacco-free policy recognition program.

Analyze the effectiveness of local recognition programs to strengthen policy changes in health care and college/university settings.

Who We Are

Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine

Smoke-Free Housing Coalition

of Maine

Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital

Network

Maine Tobacco-Free College

Network

Funded by the Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine, Maine CDC/DHHS and housed at the City of Portland, Health and Human Services Department, Public Health Division.

Who We Are/What We Do Mission: Reduce exposure to secondhand smoke

through the promotion of strong voluntary policies that lead to reduced tobacco use and increased tobacco-free living throughout Maine.

Vision: A state where all can live free from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke.

How: Providing technical assistance, resources and initiatives to promote policy and environmental change.

Why Promote Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Initiatives: Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable

disease and death. There is no risk free level of exposure to secondhand

smoke – even brief exposure causes damage that can lead to series disease and death.

Creating tobacco-free areas changes the social norm around tobacco use and promotes tobacco-free living.

Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25-30% and for developing lung cancer by 20-30% US Surgeon General Reports 2010, 2012

Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network Adopting a tobacco-free campus policy is an example

of a healthcare organization’s commitment to creating a healthier community – benefits patients, employees, visitors and role models positive health policies for the entire community.

Currently, more than 3,400 hospitals nationally and 26 hospitals in Maine have adopted 100% tobacco-free hospital campus policies.

Americans For Nonsmokers Rights, 10-5-12

Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network Gold Star Standards of Excellence – annual recognition

program to help hospitals meet best practice standards around tobacco-free policies and supporting tobacco-free living.

Comprised of ten standards around policy practices, treatment and education.

All Maine hospitals meeting at least six of ten standards will be recognized.

Gold Star Standards of Excellence

1. The hospital campus, including parking lots, in vehicles on campus, satellite sites and other properties owned/rented by the hospital are 100% tobacco-free.

2. Hospital has implemented policies and procedures aimed at reducing exposure to thirdhand tobacco smoke.

3. Policies and procedures around enforcement and employee expectations are written.

4. Tobacco advertising and/or promotion is not allowed on the hospital campus or in hospital publications.

5. Information about tobacco treatment, secondhand smoke and the policy are made readily available to patients and visitors.

Gold Star Standards of Excellence 6. All patients are screened for tobacco use, status is documented,

patients are offered comprehensive treatment services during their stay and are referred to treatment post-discharge.

7. Hospital supports staff to attend evidence-based training around tobacco treatment and dependence.

8. Tobacco treatment services and medications are a covered health plan benefit for employees and eligible dependents.

9. Hospital makes information about 100% smoke-free lodging options available to visiting patients and families.

10. Hospital has a written policy stating that it refuses all donations from the tobacco industry and divests itself of all tobacco company stock.

Gold Star Standards of Excellence

1

7 6

14

2

6

12

20

2

10

16

28

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Bronze Silver Gold Total

Maine Hospital Participation in Gold Star Standards of Excellence, 2010-2012, by award level

2010

2011

2012

Gold Star Standards of Excellence Recognition Event

Maine Tobacco-Free College Network As leaders in higher learning, colleges and universities have

a commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment. Tobacco-free campus policies are examples of this commitment as they benefit students, faculty, staff, visitors and help change the community norm around tobacco use.

More than 608 colleges and universities nationally and 6 in Maine have adopted 100% tobacco-free campus policies.

Americans For Nonsmokers Rights, 10-5-12

Maine Tobacco-Free College Network Gold Star Standards of Excellence – annual recognition

program to help colleges and universities meet best practice standards around tobacco-free policies and supporting tobacco-free living.

Comprised of ten standards around policy practices, treatment and education.

All Maine institutions of higher learning that meet at least five of ten standards will be recognized.

Gold Star Standards of Excellence

1. The college/university campus is 100% tobacco-free, including

parking lots, grounds, and all off-campus meetings, conferences and fundraisers are covered by the policy.

2.Appropriate signage explaining the campus policy is posted at key locations on the campus.

3. Educational materials about tobacco use, treatment, secondhand smoke and the campus policy are made readily available to all.

4.Tobacco education, prevention and treatment related information and resources have been implemented into existing trainings, events, and programs.

5.Tobacco treatment and medications are covered benefits under university health insurance plans.

Gold Star Standards of Excellence

6. Advertisement and promotion of tobacco products is not allowed on

campus/satellite facilities, including in university publications. 7. Sale and/or distribution of tobacco products/paraphernalia is

prohibited on campus and at all campus sponsored events, including by student groups or organizations.

8. Campus supported organizations and events are prohibited from accepting money or goods from tobacco companies.

9. The school has a written policy stating that it refuses donations from the tobacco industry and divests itself from tobacco company stock.

10. The college/university provides information on 100% smoke-free lodging to campus visitors.

Establishing a Recognition Program

Developing a Recognition Program Questions to ask:

Who is our target audience? Is this going to be a statewide or regional program?

Will this program meet a need and encourage change? Are there key partners to pull in to strengthen the program?

Is someone else already doing this?

Important components: Build the criteria from evidence based strategies Build a contact network (who is responsible for the change at

each organization, who is likely to complete the application, etc)

Planning a Recognition Program Potential costs for implement program

Staff time Printing Mailings/Outreach Marketing Materials Trainings/Webinars Celebration

Rental space Awards/Plaques Food

Planning a Recognition Program Understand your audience – what will encourage them

to participate and attend your event. Consider the location and time of year – what impact will that have.

Example: Partner with key players

Planning a Recognition Program Make sure the criteria and application are achievable

for target organizations. Get key stakeholder input – consider forming a work

group to develop or review standards before distribution.

Make sure people understand why each standard is important.

Examples: MTFCN & MTFHN Application Guide

Documents

Planning a Recognition Program Build criteria that are flexible to evolve over time with

expanding research and need. Example: expanding from smoke-free area policies to

covering all tobacco products.

Implementing a Recognition Program Consider a timeline:

Determine best options with stakeholders/work group For press opportunities, try to coordinate with local,

state or national awareness days/events. Example: Great American SmokeOut, Kick Butts Day

Provide ample time if pushing for change in policy or practice. Example: Released 2013 MTFHN standards in early fall 2012

due to strengthened policy-based standards.

Implementing a Recognition Program Outreach – key to success!

Consider best contact methods (mail, email, social media, etc).

Connect with target audience multiple times throughout application process.

Utilize partner organizations and list serves to help spread the word.

Capitalize on word of mouth and previous year participants. Examples: organization newsletters, press releases

Implementing a Recognition Program Education and training:

Provide tools/resources to help organizations meet each objective.

Don’t assume questions are clear – providing training to explain the purpose of each, when possible provide sample answers of what you are looking for.

Use trainings as an opportunity to create buy-in – help them understand why each piece is important.

Training provides an opportunity to answer many of the questions for all, rather than on an individual basis.

Building Capacity/Next Steps Annually conduct reviews of relevant literature and

the standards – consider strengthening requirements when appropriate.

Encourage stakeholders to include meeting standards in their strategic plans. Example: MaineHealth 2011 Health Index Report

highlights “all eleven MaineHealth hospitals will be awarded gold or silver status for tobacco-free environments.”

Conclusions

These initiatives are successful strategies to motivate and engage organizations/stakeholders to adopt and strengthen their policies and procedures related to tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

These recognition programs provide an opportunity to keep a pulse on current policy norms throughout Maine.

Questions? Contact Us:

Breathe.Easy.Maine@gmail.com (207)874-8774

www.MaineTobaccoFreeCollegeNetwork.org www.MaineTobaccoFreeHospitalNetwork.org www.SmokeFreeforME.org

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