CVS to stop selling tobacco at all pharmacy locations
Wed. February 5, 2014 10:31 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Report: 33% of LGBTs smoke, spend $7.9 million dollars annually on smoking
CVS Caremark announced Wednesday that it will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy stores across the U.S. by October 1, 2014.
"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."
Smoking is the leading cause of premature disease and death in the United States with more than 480,000 deaths annually.
Researchers, including the American Lung Association, believe that there is a higher prevalence of smoking in the LGBT community. A report released earlier this year by CenterLink's Network for LGBT Health Equity indicated nearly 33% of Americans who identify as LGBT smoke and, together, spent an estimated $7.9 million dollars per year on smoking.
"The LGBT communities have an excellent health infrastructure, but when you ask our leaders about our top health issues, smoking is rarely even in the list," said the Network's Director Dr. Scout.
CVS Caremark's decision to stop selling tobacco products is consistent with the positions taken by the American Medical Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and American Pharmacists Association that have all publicly opposed tobacco sales in retail outlets with pharmacies.
"Stopping the sale of cigarettes and tobacco will make a significant difference in reducing the chronic illnesses associated with tobacco use," said said CVS Caremark Chief Medical Officer Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H.
CVS Caremark has pledged to help people quite smoking through a national campaign. This spring the company is expected to include information and treatment on smoking cessation at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic along with online resources.
Organizers in Chicago offer programs specifically for smoking cessation among LGBTs, including Bitch to Quit, a collaboration between UIC and Howard Brown Health Center. Check howardbrown.org for more information.
The Chicago Department of Health directs smokers to the Illinois Tobacco Quit Hotline, which can be reached at 1-866-QUIT-YES (784-8937).
"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."
Smoking is the leading cause of premature disease and death in the United States with more than 480,000 deaths annually.
Researchers, including the American Lung Association, believe that there is a higher prevalence of smoking in the LGBT community. A report released earlier this year by CenterLink's Network for LGBT Health Equity indicated nearly 33% of Americans who identify as LGBT smoke and, together, spent an estimated $7.9 million dollars per year on smoking.
"The LGBT communities have an excellent health infrastructure, but when you ask our leaders about our top health issues, smoking is rarely even in the list," said the Network's Director Dr. Scout.
CVS Caremark's decision to stop selling tobacco products is consistent with the positions taken by the American Medical Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and American Pharmacists Association that have all publicly opposed tobacco sales in retail outlets with pharmacies.
"Stopping the sale of cigarettes and tobacco will make a significant difference in reducing the chronic illnesses associated with tobacco use," said said CVS Caremark Chief Medical Officer Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H.
CVS Caremark has pledged to help people quite smoking through a national campaign. This spring the company is expected to include information and treatment on smoking cessation at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic along with online resources.
Organizers in Chicago offer programs specifically for smoking cessation among LGBTs, including Bitch to Quit, a collaboration between UIC and Howard Brown Health Center. Check howardbrown.org for more information.
The Chicago Department of Health directs smokers to the Illinois Tobacco Quit Hotline, which can be reached at 1-866-QUIT-YES (784-8937).