Reportedly, CVS Pharmacy announced they will no longer sell tobacco products in their stores. The decision was made because the corporate name that includes the word “Pharmacy” suggests a need to help people with wellness and tobacco only does more harm than good. I find it a bit odd that after many decades of focus groups and organizations and health departments attempting to convince the public that tobacco products are bad for their health not to mention its effect on others through second hand smoke. Personally, I have restrictive lung disease which is slightly worse than obstructive lung disease (COPD) or those with asthma as I get very little oxygen breathed in and out. For example, I only have 44% lung capacity so one can only imagine how difficult it is for me to be around smokers, let alone establishments that still allow smoking. I know first hand that second hand smoking exposure can be deadly to someone like me so I can only image how much worse it is for those who smoke willingly. I wonder if companies like Walgreens and Walmart will follow suit to CVS Pharmacy? While CVS will not change their store signs that indicate CVS Caremark Pharmacies, the company has however stated that they have legally changed their name to CVS Health. During this transition, CVS has replaced all of their tobacco products with products designed to help people quit smoking such as nicotine gum. Changes are set to go into effect on October 1, 2014.
ATG
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