this morning they will end the sales of tobacco and tobacco products at all of their stores by Oct. 1. The announcement came through a press release posted on their Facebook page this morning.
The new policy will be implemented at 7,600 CVS/pharmacy stores over the next few months. CVS Facebook administrators had this to say this morning, "As a health care company, it’s time for us to take a stand and to put our customers, colleagues and patients on a path to better health."
CVS Caremark President Larry J. Merlo is quoted in the press release, "Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose."
CVS is the first major drugstore chain to take the step.
the company will lose around $1.5 billion in tobacco sales annually.
The medical community including American Heart Association have called the sales of tobacco products at drugstores hypocritical to health.
Will Walgreens and Rite Aid follow suit?