By Emily Miller
Today, February 5th, the American Lung Association applauds CVS Caremark – the second largest drugstore chain in the nation – their courageous decision to stop the sale of all tobacco-related products.
CVS is stepping forward to save lives and safeguard the public health of millions of American women, men and youth. The American Lung Association commends company leaders for their forward-thinking decision to prioritize the health and well-being of current and future customers as well as employees for helping create a tobacco-free generation of youth.
The American Lung Association urges more retailers to takes note of CVS’s actions and join in efforts to help reduce access to tobacco and tobacco use, and eliminate tobacco-caused deaths and disease.
As of right now, it is unclear if other large chains, such as Walgreens and Rite Aid, will follow suit.
Cigarettes and other tobacco products will be rubbed out of 7,600 CVS Caremark drugstores by Oct. 1, the company said.
While this decision will cost the company an estimated $2 billion in annual tobacco sales, managers hope to offset the loss by offering new health treatments and products, including specialized smoking cessation programs.
CEO Larry Merlo said the move was meant to put long-term health ahead of short-term profit.
“Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is the right thing for us to do for our company and our company to help people on their path to better health,” he said in a press release. “Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose.”
Starting this spring, customers will also be able to stop in and sign up for CVS’s “robust” anti-smoking program, said Merlo.
President Barack Obama and former Mayor Bloomberg praise CVS for their bold decision.
“Just as no responsible doctor would put a cigarette machine in the office lobby, no responsible pharmacy should put cigarettes behind the counter,” Bloomberg said in a statement. “Pharmacies should help heal people, not make them sick.”
Today there are 43.8 million smokers in the country, according to the American Lung Association. Tobacco-related disease, such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), other cancers, heart disease and stroke kill almost half a millions Americans each year.
By working to reduce access to tobacco products, every person and every company can play a role in helping end this toxic threat.
