Tobacco Out at Local CVS Stores

Smokers accustomed to running to their corner CVS to pick up a pack will have to find a new place to get their fix. The national pharmacy chain has pulled tobacco products off its shelves, almost a month earlier than anticipated.

CVS announced earlier this year it intended to change its name from CVS Caremark to CVS Health and would pull tobacco from its estimated 7,700 drugstores by Oct. 1. The move came earlier, however, as some stores in the Tampa Bay area pulled tobacco products on Tuesday.

CVS issued a press release early Wednesday explaining its reasons.

“Along with the start of CVS Health, the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy ends today,” the release quoted CVS President Larry Merlo as saying. “By eliminating cigarettes and tobacco products from sale in our stores, we can make a difference in the health of all Americans.”

Customers who visit local CVS stores are likely to notice the familiar cigarette displays have been replaced by signage promoting the chain’s new #OneGoodReason campaign, which is aimed at helping tobacco users in kicking the habit.

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