By Marie Fernandes |Staff Writer|
Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of premature diseases and death in the United States with more than 480,000 deaths per year.
On Feb. 5, CVS Caremark announced that by October of this year their stores across America will no longer be selling cigarettes and other tobacco products.
President and CEO of CVS Caremark Larry J. Merlo said, “Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose.”
I believe that this is a great idea on their part because cigarettes and tobacco products do not belong in a place where health care is the main focus.
According to Merlo, CVS’s decision to remove tobacco products from the shelves of its stores shows how well they are serving their clients, customers and healthcare providers in the evolving healthcare market place.
You should not forget that CVS is primarily a pharmacy, which means that they should be looking out for their customers’ best interests in terms of health at all times.
Most people would agree that it is unnecessary for a pharmacy to be selling products that contain tobacco because there are no health benefits associated with smoking.
I think that the company’s move will make a positive impact on people’s lifestyles due to the preventative actions they will now be taking.
If one person per CVS store across the country is deterred from buying cigarettes for a day, then at least 7,000 smokers will have one less pack on them.
My first thought when I heard their announcement was about whether or not they will be taking any further steps to help those who are trying to quit smoking.
I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed because starting in spring, the company will carry out a program that will provide information and treatment needed to help smokers quit at CVS Pharmacy locations, Minute Clinic locations and on their website.
“Removing tobacco products from our stores is an important step in helping Americans to quit smoking and get healthy,” said Merlo.
The company will be making it less convenient to pick up a pack of cigarettes now that the pharmacy chain will no longer be carrying tobacco products. This means that smokers will have to find another store in order to feed their habit.
CVS is proud of the fact that they will be the first national pharmacy chain to take a step of this magnitude in support of the well-being of its customers and patients.
It did not make sense to me before that this company was selling a product that is so harmful to the human body. I am happy to hear they have now realized that they can help in the prevention of the diseases and deaths caused by tobacco use by no longer carrying tobacco products in their stores.
I hope that all pharmacies and stores with a pharmacy in them will follow the example that CVS is setting, because lifestyles can be improved if cigarettes are hard to find.
Leave a Reply