Senator Carper Applauds CVS Decision to Stop Selling Tobacco Products

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), a founding vice-chairman of the American Legacy Foundation to combat youth smoking, issued the following statement after CVS Caremark announced it will stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products in its 7,600 stores by October 1, 2014. The company also announced plans to launch a national campaign to help millions of Americans quit smoking:

“I am thrilled that CVS Caremark will stop selling tobacco products in its stores and launch a national smoking cessation campaign this spring.  This decision demonstrates tremendous leadership and commitment to improving the health of millions of Americans. I applaud CVS, one of the largest retail stores in the nation, for putting public health above short-term profits.  Tobacco causes millions of deaths annually, damaging people’s lives, leading to poor healthcare outcomes, and driving up unnecessary healthcare costs.  We need to do everything we can to continue to reduce smoking rates and the use of tobacco in our country. As a longtime advocate for smoking cessation, particularly among our children, I commend everyone at CVS Caremark who played a part in this historic decision that will encourage Americans to live longer, healthier lives.”