Larry Merlo, President of CVS Pharmacy
 

Is a brave and conscientious man. He will lose billions on his decision to not sell tobacco and tobacco products.

His reason?" It is contrary to our purpose."

He is my hero of the day.

They are legal. The Governments are making a fortune in tobacco taxes. When smoking is lessened, who is going to make up the losses?

Would be great if all retail stores in the villages stop selling Tobacco products just think how nice the Town squares and outdoor restaurants would smell.

You are right. They are legal. And a lot of taxes are made on the sales.
But they are deadly. In the past three years we have attended so many funerals of people we love who died of smoking induced illness.


I still love my friends who smoke, they can't stop.I smoked. It was so hard to stop. I still feel the effects and it still may well kill me and other people who I love.


I don't smoke and stopped drinking. I live to aggravate people in other ways.;)

CVS is doing the right thing. I have had four friends who retired after me and they all died before the age of 65. all of them smoked


My sister smoked. she was fortunate that the doctors decided to do a chest x ray. they discovered a nodule on her lung. they removed it and she needed to do noting more. God have given her a second chance I was living away and when I came home for a visit found she returned to smoking. I went up one side of her and down the other. she blinked then deflated. Her cancer is back first her lungs and now on the brain. she also has COPD. I call her often, I weep silently and I bite my tongue.

Now we have greedy politicians and dopers telling us marijuana is a good thing. god help us all

I don't think the outdoors is anymore affected by the smell of "smoking" than it is from the smells coming from all our vehicles which we all know will kill us.....but does't seem to matter or smell....I guess.

Now how can that be?

Does CVS sell Pot in their CO and WA State stores?
Will they stop selling sugary drinks like soda?
I have never smoked, but who am I to tell others not to smoke, better than drinking or Pot.

I don't think I have any right to ask people to stop smoking and I surely have no right to criticize CVS for their actions. People know they should not smoke and I know I should stop cheating on my diabetic diet and lose some weight. I think this is just a case of a man in power who made a decision. The smokers will simply get their smokes from other retailers.

I agree. Well said.

Frankly i think it was very brave of them to dump cigarettes which are contrary to selling things that are for people's well being. It is like investment firms selling bad stock on the retail side but shorting it on their side. A business that is in the business of health should truly be committed to health. Bravo.
As for taking a hit on their stock which has already happened, I think in the long term, they will build brand loyalty for their decision of integrity.

As for the other drug chains, well ...that remains to be seen. I would hope they would follow suit. I don't feel sorry for the tobacco companies in the least. Besides, they will soon be making far more selling pot.

Wouldn't be any different. Those hooked on tobacco will buy it outside TV.

I don't think they do. I am from Washington state. You need a special licence to sell and it is not sold at regular pharmacies. Also as it is still illegal federally they are not getting involved.

I understand Walgreens is considering not selling cigarettes.

Gracie, what you say is true. I went to pharmacy school with Larry and he was part of my circle of friends. Although we haven't kept in touch over the years, he is as you say a brave and conscientious man. He is also very intelligent and devoted to his profession. IMHO, CVS is fortunate to have him leading their organization. As a fellow pharmacist, I feel that he made the right decision. Most independent pharmacies that I have worked for over the years got out of the cigarette selling business years ago (shortly after the surgeon general's warning was put into place). The one I currently work at does not sell candy or soda either. To me, the cigarettes especially are a conflict of interest for a healthcare organization to be in the business of selling and/or promoting. There are many places where they can be bought outside of a pharmacy. I say "kudos" to Larry. I think CVS will not be hurt in the long run over this move. BTW, I also have family members and close friends who are cigarette smokers so no judgment here. I understand how truly difficult it is to break that habit even if one wants to, but it is so heartbreaking to see the long term effects.

As long as smokers can easily get cigarettes across the street from CVS, in most locations, the decision to stop selling cigarettes is largely symbolic. They are going for the "halo" effect. It says: Look as us, we have a conscience. We care about your health more than we care about making money. The hope is that they will make up for it by selling more drugs!

Walgreens will most likely follow suit, eventually, but most convenience stores and supermarkets will not. So what have we gained, really?

Phamacies that are truly interested in preventing disease should also stop selling candy and other such junk food items. But where would they be, financially, if they did that? What if people got the message and began living healthier lifestyles? Bye bye drug industry!

Look at Publix and Winn Dixie: Many of their stores are within walking distance from CVS. They have pharmacies and at the same time they sell cigarettes, lots of candy and (processed) junk foods. Are they going to stop selling cigarettes too and claim that they are suddenly interested in promoting health?