In their press release CVS noted that tobacco products kill over 400,000 people in the U.S. annually, more than all other causes combined. That includes all diseases, plus automobile and plane crashes, murders and suicides.
And they went on to state, as a company that deals in healthcare, getting rid of tobacco was a logical step. Even though the company makes a very small profit on tobacco products, a company spokesman said it was a way to bring people into the store where they would be exposed to other merchandise.
The country probably won't see a great decline in smoking rates, if any, just because one chain stops selling tobacco. However, the idea that a nationwide retailer is willing to lose $1-$2 billion a year because it's the right thing to do will put pressure on other businesses to do the same thing.
And while smokers will always be able to satisfy their addiction by buying elsewhere, this move brings into the national consciousness in a dramatic way the idea of how deadly cigarettes can be.
My expectation is that CVS will ultimately see an increase in their business because most people in the country are non-smokers. I believe they will view this move by CVS as ethical and honorable and will quite likely reward the store by doing business there.
I know I will.
And they went on to state, as a company that deals in healthcare, getting rid of tobacco was a logical step. Even though the company makes a very small profit on tobacco products, a company spokesman said it was a way to bring people into the store where they would be exposed to other merchandise.
The country probably won't see a great decline in smoking rates, if any, just because one chain stops selling tobacco. However, the idea that a nationwide retailer is willing to lose $1-$2 billion a year because it's the right thing to do will put pressure on other businesses to do the same thing.
And while smokers will always be able to satisfy their addiction by buying elsewhere, this move brings into the national consciousness in a dramatic way the idea of how deadly cigarettes can be.
My expectation is that CVS will ultimately see an increase in their business because most people in the country are non-smokers. I believe they will view this move by CVS as ethical and honorable and will quite likely reward the store by doing business there.
I know I will.
