US: Connecticut Reacts To CVS Pulling Tobacco Products

Source from:  Foxct.com 02/11/2014

The Rhode Island based pharmacy announced today they are kicking the tobacco-sales habit, a move that some are calling "unprecedented".

The nation's #2 drug store chain says it will rid the shelves of tobacco products after selling them for years. We spoke to smokers like Patrick Ianotti, who has been buying cigarettes at CVS for years. Come October 1, the store will close its doors on tobacco sales.

"I'm sure that they do care and I'm sure it is helping with their public relations, it does make them look a little bit better," says Ianotti.

The retailer, with 7,600 stores nationwide and 146 in Connecticut, made the announcement Wednesday by rolling out videos and anti-tobacco statistics on its website.

"We're the first major pharmacy chain to step up and take this action," says CEO Larry Merlo in one of the videos.

With cigarettes out of the stores, CVS will be losing tobacco from the shelves, and possibly losing some customers.

"It might even help a little bit with individuals and their tobacco addiction, but of course they could just stop at that Gulf over there and just pick up a pack of cigs right there," says Ianotti, pointing to a gas station nearby.

But many CVS customers like Tricia Sobraske, who don't smoke, may welcome the chain's move to kick their "tobacco-sales habit".

"I respect the company for the stand that they're taking," says Sobraske.

CVS expects to lose $2 Billion in sales annually out of a predicted $132.9 Billion in overall earnings.

According to the company's Securities and Exchange Commission 10K filing, they make about 70 percent of their money on sales of prescription drugs and only 30 percent comes from "front of store" sales, including cosmetics and until now, tobacco.

"I'm very pleased, I think it's a great decision," says Sobraske.

The move was also saluted by doctors such as pulmonary specialist, Dr. Edward Salerno, who says it doesn't make much sense for a store selling medicine to also offer something that's long been proven unhealthy.

"Patients will go to the pharmacy, pick up their inhalers that treat their emphysema or COPD and they may see tobacco products behind the counter so I think there is a disconnect there," he says.

The American Cancer Society also weighed-in Wednesday.

"When a company the size of CVS, with the influence of CVS, takes a step like this, it sends a strong message, we're thrilled," says local spokesman, Bryte Johnson.

Doctor Salerno says it's unlikely the tobacco sales stoppage will directly translate into a healthier Connecticut.

"The message is a good one. Whether it has an impact is less important, than the fact that they're acting responsibly and they're taking this step," he says. Enditem