Well Hello!!!! Way to go CVS, finally a company willing to focus on health and well being of your customers. I have said before how much I love CVS and it’s my go-to one stop shop but this makes me even happier. Call it a marketing ploy, say it doesn’t hurt their bottom line, say what you like..Who cares WHY or WHAT but what I care about is a major company taking a stance AGAINST tobacco and saying their customers health is worth more to them!
“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.” I mean seriously, go get a flu shot, your prescription and your smokes?? I don’t think so!!
Merlo continued, “As the delivery of health care evolves with an emphasis on better health outcomes, reducing chronic disease and controlling costs, CVS Caremark is playing an expanded role in providing care through our pharmacists and nurse practitioners. The significant action we’re taking today by removing tobacco products from our retail shelves further distinguishes us in how we are serving our patients, clients and health care providers and better positions us for continued growth in the evolving health care marketplace.”
Smoking is the leading cause of premature disease and death in the United States with more than 480,000 deaths annually. While the prevalence of cigarette smoking has decreased from approximately 42 percent of adults in 1965 to 18 percent today, the rate of reduction in smoking prevalence has stalled in the past decade. More interventions, such as reducing the availability of cigarettes, are needed.
“CVS Caremark is continually looking for ways to promote health and reduce the burden of disease,” said CVS Caremark Chief Medical Officer Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H. “Stopping the sale of cigarettes and tobacco will make a significant difference in reducing the chronic illnesses associated with tobacco use.”
“Every day, all across the country, customers and patients place their trust in our 26,000 pharmacists and nurse practitioners to serve their health care needs,” commented Helena B. Foulkes, President, CVS/pharmacy. “Removing tobacco products from our stores is an important step in helping Americans to quit smoking and get healthy.”
Well I am extremely happy about this decision by CVS and I’m hoping that others follow!
This is terrific news. And oddly, I’m not sure why more of us haven’t questioned that before!
I know!! It seems like it just makes perfect sense!! I hope others follow!