CVS To Stop Selling Cigarettes

CVS Caremark, the nation's second largest drugstore chain with over 7600 locations, has announced that they will phase out all tobacco sales by the end of the year.

The company declined to say what will take tobacco's prominent shelf place behind cash registers at the front of its stores. CVS Caremark will test some items and may expand smoking cessation products that are already sold near cigarettes. CVS Caremark has been working to team up with hospital groups and doctor practices to help deliver and monitor patient care, and the presence of tobacco in its stores has made for some awkward conversations, CVS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Troyen A. Brennan said. "One of the first questions they ask us is, 'Well, if you're going to be part of the health care system, how can you continue to sell tobacco products?'" he said. "There's really no good answer to that at all."

President Obama has issued a statement which praises the company for the move, which is expected to cut annual sales by about $2B.