As part of the smoking cessation efforts at Duke, LIVE FOR LIFE sponsors volunteer teams to pick up cigarette refuse and distribute smoking cessation information at the bus stop outside Duke Hospital. Photo by Duke Photography.

Durham, NC - The American Cancer Society  recently announced that Duke will be among the institutions to receive its Excellence in Workplace Tobacco Control award .

The award is presented quarterly to employers that provide cessation programs, policies and benefit coverage to encourage tobacco cessation at workplaces with at least 1,000 employees. The CEO Roundtable on Cancer and the American Heart Association have previously been recognized Duke for its overall employee wellness program, which included tobacco cessation.

"We saw this opportunity as a way to continuously highlight our efforts to create a healthier workplace and workforce," said Dr. George Jackson , co-director of Duke Employee Occupational Health and Wellness. "Duke has a commitment to the wellbeing of its faculty and staff and this is just another way to recognize that.

In its nomination packet, Duke highlighted the success of its cessation programs, which are run through LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program. Since 2007, 22 percent of participants quit tobacco after one year, which is comparable to national averages.

To be accepted for the American Cancer Society award, employers must meet a series of criteria, including banning tobacco use on company grounds and offering cessation programs, a "quit line" telephone service and incentives for quitting tobacco such as free cessation medication. In addition to ongoing programs and services for staff and faculty, Duke hosts special events each year to promote cessation programs during the Great American Smokeout.

This is the first time Duke applied for the American Cancer Society award since Duke Medicine adopted a tobacco-free initiative in 2007. A renewal application must be submitted annually to maintain the "Excellence in Workplace Tobacco Control" designation. As part of receiving the Excellence in Workplace Tobacco Control award, Duke will be given a certificate and plaque to display.

Learn more about Duke Medicine's tobacco-free initiative online. A full list of Duke's tobacco cessation resources is also available.