When Walgreen’s opened east of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, it agreed not to sell tobacco products. More recently, a large drug store chain has announced a more health-conscious direction with the most notable change being the elimination of tobacco products in stores effective immediately. Customers will see
nicotine gum and signs urging consumers to stop using tobacco. Take the poll to let us know what you think and share your stories on your attempts to quit or reduce a toabacco habit.
For tips on smoking cessation or facts about smoking and cardiovascular disease, visit the Johns Hopkins health library page at hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary.
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Comments
I have mixed feelings about product placement. If the cigarettes are in plain view, it may be more of a temptation for younger folks to want to try them. People who have been smoking for years already know where they can get their favorite smoking products, but people who don't smoke now may be curious if the cigarettes are more visible. -- On the other hand, cigarettes ARE addictive, so maybe a "drug" store is exactly where they should be sold.
I agree with Gary W. and perhaps it will start a trend to others (such as grocery stores) to stop selling the tobbaco products.
It may not reduce tobacco use , however , it does convey corporate consideration and integrity . To be admired , supported , and sets a good example .
Smoking is not okay. Perhaps it will give people pause if they have to plan where to buy tobacco products and as well as inconvenient to find a place to smoke. Health care professionals should encourage and help all people quit this addiction. We should not stand by as people burn up their lungs, homes, and often loved ones (with secondhand smoke) around them. Smoking is not okay. It is important to send that message.
I remember when people could smoke tobacco products on airplanes. When airlines decided to eliminate all smoking on board, it had nothing to do with aiding individual smoking cessation efforts and everything to do with providing clean air to everyone taking a flight. CVS is trying to provide a healthy shopping "atmosphere" in it's selection of products and send a message. I applaud their message and effort. Smoking is increasingly publicly perceived as dirty and unhealthy and those are accurate perceptions.
I have a son and soon to be daughter in law l Anything to deter them from smoking. If they would quit smoking they could have bought a home. Any thing to deter smoking would help. Of course if all the drug strores quit selling tobacco the places that do sell will raise their prices. I do not know how the people can afford to spend the enormous amount on tobacco today. It will soon be $10.00 a pack if it is not already. I was a smoker, not heavy, it was difficult to quit. One day I am in the bushes smoking and thought I must be crazy I am bald headed from breast cancer chemo. Time to quit and I did it by cold turkey. The only way to really stop. I wish I could stop my family from smoking, but they need to make up their own minds.
It is a huge hypocrisy for a company that supposedly promotes health to sell products that indisuptedly have a negative impact on customers' health...kudos to CVS for giving up a profitable product line.
Most gas stations sell cigarettes and they are just as accessable as drug stores.
The only thing that may work is if they stop making cigarettes all together.
If I am not mistaken...... we currently have stores that sell just those products. Perhaps more venders will cater to them. Stores I know of, are upscale. This may be a problem for the customers. Just a thought!
While smokers will go elsewhere, this is the RIGHT thing to do and I applaud their efforts - perhaps it will teach our children (future smokers) how Unhealthy smoking is!
It sends the right message and as healthcare professionals we should all discourage smoking and encourage quitting