CVS – Will not sell tobacco products starting October 1st
by Mark Barrus
CVS Caremark, the nation’s 2nd largest drug store, has announced that it will no longer sell any tobacco products starting October 1st, 2014.
Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, but there was no mention of electronic cigarettes, which CVS does not sell anyway.
CVS is in the wellness business and does very well with it’s “Minute Clinic” walk-in business.
“Selling tobacco is very inconsistent with being in that business,” said Helena Foulkes, CVS’ pharmacy president. “We really thought about this decision as it relates to the future as a health company — it’s good for customers and our company, in the long run.”
“Any form of tobacco use makes those chronic conditions more difficult to deal with,” she said. “This is good for business and the right thing to do.”
CVS – Photo: M. Spencer Green, AP
President Obama was very happy about this announcement from CVS Caremark, as it will reduce the cost of health care, which he is obviously interested in.
Tory Brennan, the company’s CMO, eluded to the fact that CVS will announce a big stop smoking program coming very soon.
Other pharmacies will follow the example, but CVS made the move on their own, gaining much in the process. Tobacco only accounts for 2% of their sales.
The Affordable Care Act wants people to remain healthy and allows employers to raise insurance premiums to recipients who smoke and offer discounts to those that don’t.
Mark Barrus is the Director of Healthy Life Centers. I have been in the Hypnosis industry for over 20 years, and have written many articles about the efficacy and effectiveness of Hypnotherapy to overcome unwanted habits and actions. Twenty years of Case Study research and examination have helped me to inform the industry on the results and be a leader in the field. I originally worked with Dr. Richard Neves, the former head of the American Board of Hypnotherapy, training other Hypnotherapists in Advanced Smoking Cessation protocols. In February 2005, we also started Healthy Life Centers, in Orange County, CA
