This month marks the one year CVS tobacco free anniversary, the landmark decision banned all tobacco products from their more than 7,800 stores. CVS Health Research Institute released a study that suggested this one pharmacy chain’s decision could be impacting American behavior as a whole. According to the new study, in markets where CVS/pharmacy has 15% or more market share results showed:
- 1% decrease in cigarette purchases
- 4% increase in nicotine patches
This data is revealing, especially when layered on top of previously known data, like the fact that 2/3 of smokers actively want to quit CVS/pharmacy pharmacists have counseled more than 260,000 smokers in cessation and refilled over 600,000 prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapies. These numbers show that pulling tobacco off the shelves goes beyond the publicity or the moral high ground and has a real impact on Americans’ lives and health. Have you recently given up smoking to better your health?
