CVS Pharmacies To Stop Selling Tobacco Products

February 6, 2014

CVS  has announced that it will stop selling all cigarettes and tobacco products by October 1.

The CVS Caremark chain, with more than 7,100 stores, said Wednesday that cigarettes and tobacco products have no place in its outlets as it seeks to focus more on its role as a health-care provider. The chain, with $56 billion in annual sales, said ending tobacco sales will cost it $2 billion in annual revenue. CVS the first national pharmacy chain to take this step in support of the health and well-being of its patients and customers.

“Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our company to help people on their path to better health,” said Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO, CVS Caremark. “Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose.”

Studies show that nearly 44 million U.S. adults, about one-fifth of the adult population, smoke regularly. That figure is lower than in many other countries, but has remained mostly unchanged despite years of government campaigns against smoking.

U.S. officials say cigarette smoking accounts for more than 440,000 deaths annually in the country.

Pictured: The CVS/pharmacy store in Century. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “CVS Pharmacies To Stop Selling Tobacco Products”

  1. David Huie Green on February 9th, 2014 3:26 pm

    REGARDING:
    “We all know that too much candy can cause diabetes or obesity, and encouraging promiscuity can lead to sexual diseases. Both of these aspects are certainly detrimental to one’s physical well-being. The bottom line is where do we draw the line?

    Unless we want the government to control every aspect of our lives, we don’t draw the line. We allow others to decide what they wish to do within the confines of the law. We let them draw their own lines.

    David for freedom

  2. Candice on February 8th, 2014 11:59 am

    I have not ever used Cvs but I wish I knew if they are medicaid/medicare friendly. I am in need of a pharmacy that is medicare/medicaid friendly.

  3. Eric on February 7th, 2014 8:57 am

    CVS is getting out of the tobacco business because they are going to get into the Health insurance business. The health insurance business will be much more profitable than the tobacco business. They are putting a long term strategy in place. They are changing their business model.

  4. Ponch on February 6th, 2014 8:41 pm

    Good call, CVS!

    Keep selling that beer and wine, though. Everyone knows how good those products are for us.

  5. Wet Dog on February 6th, 2014 6:04 pm

    Since CVS had made the decision that smoking is the worst habit of all, I just cut up my CVS discount card. They didn’t remove dangerous drugs, fattning foods and candies, beer and wine, and dangerous chemicals from their shelves in the cosmetics and cleaning items.

    CVS is not a store I wish to patronize. GOODBYE!

  6. No Excuses on February 6th, 2014 5:23 pm

    Whether I agree or not, CVS has the right to sell what they wish. Good luck to them!

  7. Ben Thar on February 6th, 2014 4:21 pm

    Bill, you must be using some of that new math.

  8. glad on February 6th, 2014 3:28 pm

    All stores needs to stop selling tobacco products.

  9. bill l on February 6th, 2014 12:58 pm

    thought for sure tobacco products would get more than 3.6% profit

  10. melodies4us on February 6th, 2014 9:48 am

    This is great news and shows moral courage on the part of CVS. I hope it starts a trend of other retailers doing the same.

  11. Realist on February 6th, 2014 7:26 am

    Yes Mark, Obamanation. You know, because Obama is the CEO of CVS. Clever.

  12. The DOER on February 6th, 2014 6:00 am

    It is easy to think, “Oh,this is a great step. Smoking is bad for you, and we know it causes health problems. After all, this is a health store.” But is CVS also going to stop selling candy bars or sexual lubricants? We all know that too much candy can cause diabetes or obesity, and encouraging promiscuity can lead to sexual diseases. Both of these aspects are certainly detrimental to one’s physical well-being. The bottom line is where do we draw the line?

    Escambia County School District already has a policy that if you smoke, you can’t get hired to work. Their logic: this could cost the district too much in health cost. That makes sense, but do we hold the same standards to a person who is 100 lbs. overweight?

    Good grief!

  13. Mark on February 6th, 2014 5:34 am

    I bet they still dispense the “morning after pill”! All Hail Obamanation.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News