By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    June 13, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    July 31, 2025
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Soaring Medical Costs Pinned on Medical Devices
    June 7, 2011
    Debt Ceiling Negotiations on Health Care are Mere Cost Shifting
    July 15, 2011
    Is Kathleen Sebelius Listening to the NCPA?
    August 29, 2011
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: CVS Kicks the Habit, with Implications for Consumer-Centered Healthcare
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Global Healthcare > CVS Kicks the Habit, with Implications for Consumer-Centered Healthcare
BusinessGlobal HealthcareNewsPublic HealthWellness

CVS Kicks the Habit, with Implications for Consumer-Centered Healthcare

Patti Doherty
Patti Doherty
Share
5 Min Read
CVS stops selling cigarettes
SHARE

CVS stops selling cigarettesCVS/Pharmacy’s recent announcement that it will cease selling tobacco products in all its stores by October 1 made headlines nationwide. The decision underscores the growing power of the consumer in healthcare, while raising questions about the sale of other products that have an impact on public health.

CVS stops selling cigarettesCVS/Pharmacy’s recent announcement that it will cease selling tobacco products in all its stores by October 1 made headlines nationwide. The decision underscores the growing power of the consumer in healthcare, while raising questions about the sale of other products that have an impact on public health.

In its announcement and in an article in JAMA, CVS emphasized the need to make smoking less socially acceptable. The number of smokers in the U.S. has declined drastically in 50 years, from 42% to 18% of the population, which still leaves 42 million active smokers, costing $132 billion in direct medical costs and another $157 billion in lost productivity. In addition, the irony of pharmacies selling products to promote health while also selling tobacco products was not lost on the authors (or the company, according to its announcement).

Antismoking groups, medical associations and even pharmacy trade groups have placed persistent pressure on retail pharmacies over the years to move away from selling cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and related products. Meanwhile, the Popper and Company team has observed that the combination of primary care physician shortages and increasing demand for primary care services has sparked a rise in retail health/medical clinics and has created opportunities for retail pharmacies to be a major community resource for health and wellness.

More Read

Image
How to Progress Towards a “Prevention-Based Society”
6 Factors To Check When Hiring An In-Home Caregiver
Physician Burnout Can Kill You: CHD Is Just One Way
Here’s Your Definitive Guide To Choosing A Mattress
How to Keep Your Dog Healthy

The CVS announcement sends a very strong public health message that the company is taking health seriously. Pharmacies make up a small portion of the overall sale of tobacco, but it is hypocritical to sell wellness at one counter, and at another to sell products that contribute to the leading cause of preventable death and can complicate many other chronic conditions.

This brave move on the part of CVS (the decision forces the company to forgo $2 billion in revenue) will forge many positive alliances—including with the patient/consumer who is seeking guidance for a healthier lifestyle, perhaps by quitting smoking. It will also put pressure on other sites of new retail clinics, such as chain grocery stores and other retailers (note that Target and Wegmans stopped selling tobacco products years ago). New opportunities will no doubt arise to bring clinics further out of a formal medical office and into more convenient retail settings. This strategic positioning, meanwhile, will likely launch CVS into further becoming a healthcare company and away from just being a “pharmacy.”

Although other products that can have negative health implications – such as snack foods and alcohol – are still sold by CVS, the Company’s strategy of ceasing to sell tobacco products is one worthy of taking note. The decision also begs the question about how to control other products that may have an impact on public health. Electronic cigarettes (sometimes called “e-cigarettes”) are the subject of a great deal of debate, for example, as they are currently unregulated (though the FDA is working on examining these products), making it unclear how much nicotine is delivered into the body, what other chemical types such as flavorings are built into the vapor system, and other health implications. CVS does not sell e-cigarettes, but will tobacco products be replaced with e-cigarettes in the pharmacy? These products are being marketed to youth and can be used in places where cigarettes have been banned. Perhaps most disturbing of all is that we do not know the long-term impact of the e-cigarette.

TAGGED:CVS
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
Health
July 31, 2025
holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025

You Might also Like

patient engagement
BusinesseHealthHospital AdministrationMobile HealthTechnology

An Open Discussion Around Patient Engagement

March 5, 2014
Medical Press Releases, Online Marketing, Public Relations
Business

Generating Press Release Ideas for Your Medical Practice

March 11, 2014

No Lack of Self Esteem

March 12, 2011

What Causes Inflammation? A Comprehensive Look At The Causes and Effects Of Inflammation (part 3)

April 10, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?