This year marks the 10th anniversary of CVS's decision to stop selling tobacco products, a bold move that transformed the company's role in public health. When CVS first made the decision in 2014 to remove tobacco from its 7,800 stores, the move was seen as controversial by some but groundbreaking by others. Since then, CVS has evolved from a retail pharmacy chain to a healthcare leader, and its commitment to public health has been underscored by significant research and industry recognition.
Impact of CVS's Tobacco-Free Initiative
A study conducted by the CVS Health Research Institute demonstrated the positive impact of this decision on smoking behaviors. In regions where CVS had a significant market presence (15% or more market share), the company observed a 1% decrease in cigarette purchases and a 4% increase in nicotine patch sales in the first year following the ban. In the first year alone, CVS’s decision led to 100 million fewer packs of cigarettes being sold, underscoring the long-term impact of their initiative. These statistics suggest that removing tobacco products from store shelves not only influenced consumer behavior but also encouraged smokers to take steps toward quitting.
Fast forward to 2024, and CVS’s influence on public health has continued to grow. The company has reported that its pharmacists have provided smoking cessation counseling to over 500,000 individuals and filled more than 1 million prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), underscoring the scale of their tobacco-free commitment.
In the decade since CVS went tobacco-free, smoking cessation efforts across the U.S. have seen significant progress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of U.S. adults who smoke has dropped from 16.8% in 2014 to around 12% in 2023, reaching a near-historical low. This decline has been attributed in part to public health initiatives like CVS’s, as well as rising awareness about the health risks associated with smoking. CVS’s role in providing tools and resources for smokers who wish to quit has proven essential in this fight.
Rewarding Healthy Choices: Gift Cards for Wellness Programs
As CVS continues its focus on public health and smoking cessation, employers and organizations looking to incentivize healthier lifestyle choices are turning to solutions like the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform. This platform allows companies to reward employees with digital gift cards for wellness achievements, including smoking cessation. Offering over 300 gift card options and access to healthy rewards like CVS® Gift Cards and CVS Select® Cards, the Engage2Reward Platform helps employers motivate and celebrate employees who take proactive steps toward better health, such as quitting smoking. The flexibility of these rewards empowers employees to choose gift cards that best suit their lifestyles, reinforcing the long-term benefits of healthy behavior.
Expanding Impact Beyond the Pharmacy
Beyond the elimination of tobacco sales, CVS has invested heavily in fostering a tobacco-free future. Between 2014 and 2019, CVS helped 228 colleges and universities become tobacco-free and committed $50 million to its Be The First initiative, aimed at creating the first tobacco-free generation. Their reach extends beyond stores and into communities and schools across the nation, emphasizing CVS's broader role in public health.
In response to the rise of teen vaping and e-cigarette use, CVS made a further commitment of $10 million in 2019 to support youth smoking and vaping prevention through partnerships with Discovery Education and CATCH Global Foundation. CVS also pledged not to collaborate with advertising or public relations agencies that work with tobacco or e-cigarette companies, showcasing their unwavering stance on reducing nicotine addiction in all forms.
A recent survey showed that nearly 65% of Americans agree that CVS’s decision has helped reduce the risk of chronic diseases, while 62% of adults believe that retailers have an obligation to limit access to tobacco and vaping products. These statistics reflect a growing public sentiment that CVS's initiatives are having a positive, long-lasting effect on the health of individuals and communities across the country.
Looking Ahead: A Continued Focus on Public Health
In addition to tackling smoking and vaping, CVS has expanded its focus on overall health. As the first national retailer to require third-party testing for vitamins and supplements, CVS ensures that products meet stringent quality standards. They’ve also taken a stand against harmful chemicals by removing parabens and phthalates from their store-brand products and removing sunscreens with SPF levels below 15 from shelves to encourage proper sun protection.
Moreover, CVS’s $100 million investment in health and wellness programs continues to support efforts in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. With initiatives like these, CVS is dedicated to leading its customers and patients on a journey toward better health, hand-in-hand with both individuals and communities.
As CVS celebrates 10 years of tobacco-free leadership, the company remains committed to its mission of improving public health. Their efforts to reduce tobacco use, support smoking cessation, and combat the rise of e-cigarettes have created healthier communities and a brighter future for the next generation.
Have you taken steps toward a healthier future? Now is a great time to start -- empower your organization with CVS® Gift Cards and CVS Select® Cards through the Engage2Reward Gift Card Ordering Platform.
