Legislator Calls on Drugstore Chains to Cease Tobacco Sales

Connecticut senator formally urges other stores to follow CVS’s lead on tobacco products.

September 10, 2014

HARTFORD, Conn. – Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut joined with a number of health organizations earlier this week to call on all drugstores to stop selling cigarettes.

At Monday’s news conference at a Hartford, Connecticut, Walgreens store, Blumenthal specifically urged Walgreens, Rite Aid and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores to follow CVS's lead and halt sales of tobacco products. CVS announced their intent to stop selling tobacco earlier this year, and last week announced that their stores were now tobacco-free as they re-branded to CVS Health.

Walgreens, along with Walmart and Family Dollar, has previously stated that they do not intend to stop selling tobacco, although continuing pressure could change that view.

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