



Americans jonesing for a cigarette, or any other tobacco product, will soon have to take their business somewhere besides CVS/pharmacy. The chain’s parent company, CVS Caremark, announced Wednesday that it will become the first national pharmacy chain to stop selling tobacco in various forms in its U.S. stores as of Oct. 1 “in support of the health and well-being of its patients and customers.”

Los Angeles Times opinion writer Scott Martelle pointed out the built-in irony in drugstores being “go-to spots for cigarettes” and praised CVS’ move:

CVS could continue to sell the products, which bring in a reported $2 billion in annual sales, and its decision not to should be lauded. Other U.S.-based corporations should take note: A firm is making a decision based not on profit, but on what is the right and good thing to do for the communities in which it operates. Let’s hope this is contagious.

–Posted by Kasia Anderson