Catalan Institut of Oncology L’Hospitalet, along with Benito Menni CASM and San Josep Clinic of the Althaia Foundation in Manresa have been renewed with the ‘gold level’ of the International Network of Smoke-Free Hospitals (GNTH, Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services). The three hospitals have renewed this award given in 2017. This award was presented on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, in an online event, as a part of the ‘Gold Forum Conference’. Networks from Cantabria, Taiwan and Ireland previously shared their experiences with the audience. In addition to the three Catalan hospitals, seven Taiwanese, five Andalusian and one French centers also received or renewed this accreditation.
This is the highest distinction awarded internationally to those health centers that have demonstrated important advances in tobacco control policies and that represent an example for other organizations in the commitment against smoking.
The three Catalan hospitals join the 67 hospitals worldwide (9 of them from Catalonia) accredited with the Gold international.
To reach the ‘gold level’ hospitals must demonstrate the implementation of tobacco control policies according to the demanding standards of the Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services, being evaluated by an international jury team.
From the Tobacco Control Unit we provide advice and follow-up on the Smoke free Hospital project to the hospitals of the Catalan Network of Smoke free Hospitals, a project that we coordinate as a regular activity at the Unit. In addition, from the TCU we lead the team that promotes the Smoke free Hospital project at the ICO from its beginnings, and where was presented the candidate to reach the ‘gold level’.