Obama Praises CVS for Dropping Tobacco Products: Helping ‘Advance My Administration’s Efforts’

CVS, the second largest retail drug and convenience chain in America, announced on Wednesday that it intends to pull all tobacco products from its shelves starting October 1. CVS Caremark Corp. CEO Larry Merlo said in an announcement that tobacco products do not belong in an environment where health care is being delivered.

“Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose,” Merlo said.

President Barack Obama quickly issued a statement praising the chain’s decision. “I applaud this morning’s news that CVS Caremark has decided to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products in its stores,” Obama said.

“As one of the largest retailers and pharmacies in America, CVS Caremark sets a powerful example, and today’s decision will help advance my administration’s efforts to reduce tobacco-related deaths, cancer, and heart disease, as well as bring down health care costs – ultimately saving lives and protecting untold numbers of families from pain and heartbreak for years to come,” the president continued.

h/t NY Daily News

[Photo via CVS]

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