CVS Caremark, the owner and operator of CVS Pharmacy Stores nationwide, announced on Wednesday that they will no longer carry tobacco products in stores. “Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our company to help people on their path to better health,” said Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO of CVS Caremark.
When asked about the change in their consumer choices, smokers in The Villages all seemed to echo the same sentiment: They’ll purchase their tobacco products elsewhere. The company estimates that it will lose approximately $2 billion in revenues on an annual basis from tobacco shoppers, and the trend in The Villages seems to support that. “I’ll just go to Walgreens,” said Penny Knox, a resident of Pennecamp. Penny suggested that she, like many Villagers, normally purchases cigarettes at locations other than CVS, including local gas stations and grocery stores.
The company is making it apparent which industry and customers they are focusing on with this change. “Every day, all across the country, customers and patients place their trust in our 26,000 pharmacists and nurse practitioners to serve their health care needs,” said Helena B. Foulkes, President, CVS/pharmacy in the company’s press release. It went further to indicate that the decision was made to benefit patients, clients and health care providers and improve health outcomes.
“Most people go to the gas station to buy tobacco products, where they’re cheaper…It’s a good idea. It’s supposed to be a health store, so if they’re going that route maybe they should stop selling junk food,” said Lisa Richards, a resident of Lady Lake. “I normally don’t buy there, but I’m sure there will be some upset people,” she added.
What do you think about the company’s change?