Health Hazard: Selling Cigarettes in Pharmacies

Health Hazard: Selling Cigarettes in Pharmacies

By now, most everyone is aware of the hazards associated with cigarette smoking.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs in existence. Cigarette smoking is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths in the United States. Smokers place themselves, their families and those who are around them at risk through second-hand smoke. As a pulmonary physician, I treat patients with lungs damaged by smoking. Every day, 38000 persons younger than 18 years, smoke their first cigarette. Once begun, breaking the cigarette habit is a daunting task.

This is America, where people have the choice. To smoke or not, is a personal right.  But, when does collective well being take precedence over personal decisions? Whether we want to or not, the law requires that all of us wear seat belts when driving. The nation experienced what financial institutions without legal limits did to our economy. Do corporations share a responsibility beyond making money? I think so. We live in a society. Corporate and individual responsibilities go beyond the profit motive. In the end, all of us pay – literally – for the cost of care and insurance for those persons who destroy their health. Annually, cigarette smoking and related illness cost $96 billion.

At a local level, I am concerned that the South Windsor CVS pharmacy persists in selling cigarettes. Can they do so? Yes! Should they sell tobacco products?  I do no think so. CVS has added a clinic to their services. How they reconcile tobacco sales with health services and sale of medicines is perplexing. Unfortunately, the answer is ‘big money.’ Corporations spend $27 million annually promoting tobacco products each year.  Clearly, profit takes precedence over the health and welfare of their customers.

I will be seeking the support of the Town Council and the residents of South Windsor to pass an ordinance which bans the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products from any pharmacy in our town. While I am reluctant to usurp the right of choice from anyone, society has to intervene when any corporation exploits people for profit.  As a physician, I urge every smoker to talk with his/her doctor about various methods to stop smoking. Please consider joining me in helping to make South Windsor a healthier community for all of us.   

Dr. Saud Anwar,

South Windsor Town Council