CVS pharmacies will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products by October 1 in an effort to show its customers that they are committed to fostering consumer health.
“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,” Larry J. Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark, said in a statement. “Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose.”
CVS is the first major pharmacy to remove tobacco products from its selves, and President Barack Obama commended the company for their commitment to healthcare.
“As one of the largest retailers and pharmacies in America, CVS Caremark sets a powerful example, and today’s decision will help advance my administration’s efforts to reduce tobacco-related deaths, cancer, and heart disease, as well as bring down health care costs — ultimately saving lives and protecting untold numbers of families from pain and heartbreak for years to come,” Obama said in a statement.
Dr. Richard Wender, chief cancer control officer at the American Cancer Society, echoed Obama’s sentiment.
“This is an important, bold public health decision by a major retail pharmacy to act on the long understood reality that blending providing health care and providing cigarettes just doesn’t match.”
At What Cost?
CVS estimates that they will lose about $2 billion annually by removing tobacco products of their shelves – $1.5 billion in tobacco sales, and the rest from additional purchases made while stopping to get cigarettes. The company will undoubtedly see an uptick in sales from individuals who will go out of their way to buy products at CVS because of their decision, but it isn’t expected to make a measureable difference.
Before you start feeling too bad for the pharmaceutical chain, take note – CVS cleared 123.1 billion in revenue in 2012, and it reported $94 billion in the first nine months of 2013.
Smoking In The US
Tobacco use in the United States has fallen dramatically over the last fifty years, but healthcare officials estimate that roughly 1 in 5 adults still smoke cigarettes. More than 2 in 5 adults smoked cigarettes back in 1965, so while the decline is encouraging, experts believe the gradual decrease has leveled off.
Researchers estimate that more than 5 million deaths each year are attributed to smoking. Some of the most common tobacco-related deaths include:
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
- Lung Complications
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also estimates that on average, smokers die 10 years before nonsmokers.
Dr. Silverman comments
This is a great move by CVS. While the vast majority of smokers will find another place to buy cigarettes from, there will undoubtedly be a small portion of individuals who will cut back or quit smoking because they can no longer buy cigarettes at CVS.
It will be interesting to see if other pharmacies follow suit, or if some stores make a similar commitment to consumer health by removing other unhealthy options, like soda or potato chips.
Related source: CNN