CVS Caremark announced Wednesday it would stop the sale of all tobacco products at its branch stores, including its Westwood location.
The second-largest national pharmacy chain will no longer shelve cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7,600 U.S. stores by Oct. 1. CVS will also launch a program with online and in-store resources to encourage customers to quit smoking, according to a press release from CVS Caremark.
“As a leader of the health care community focused on improving health outcomes, we are pledging to help millions of Americans quit smoking,” said Larry J. Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark, in a statement.
President Barack Obama, a former smoker himself, praised the initiative, the first by a national pharmacy chain. He said it would help bring down tobacco-related deaths and diseases and health care costs.
At the CVS store on Westwood Boulevard, several customers said the change would have little effect on their lives. Other stores in the area, such as Rite Aid, also sell tobacco products.
Though several recognized the importance of the anti-smoking campaign, none said they would take advantage of the new resources to be offered.
“(CVS) is the quickest place to buy cigarettes, but I’ll just find someplace else,” said Ravikant Patidar, a graduate student at the Anderson School of Management.
Compiled by Camille Von Kaenel, Bruin contributor.