CVS-- No Cigs

[GPK]

Originally Posted by hi_im_god

Sugar and alcohol can be safely used in moderation. The same isn't true of tobacco products so distinguishing tobacco from the others is pretty easy.

This is a fairly brilliant PR move by CVS. A number of localities have already banned tobacco sales from pharmacies. While not likely to be a tidal wave, you'll see more of that in the future. Why not get ahead of the curve and look like a white knight if you can see the end already on its way? $2 billion is 3% of their total revenue. Their future will be directly providing medical care at the stores. They'll cut loose a revenue stream which would decline regardless and look like heroes by going first. Smart play.

Sugar and alchol can also be abused in the same manner as tobacco, and for many, just as addicting. If your future is in directly providing medical care at your stores, why not just go co-op, set up a hookah bar and everyone hold hands and sing kumbya in the midddle of the store while munching on organic kale?

I digress. My friend of Bill meeting starts in 15 minutes.

[hi_im_god]

Originally Posted by GPK

Sugar and alchol can also be abused in the same manner as tobacco, and for many, just as addicting. If your future is in directly providing medical care at your stores, why not just go co-op, set up a hookah bar and everyone hold hands and sing kumbya in the midddle of the store while munching on organic kale?

I digress. My friend of Bill meeting starts in 15 minutes.

Kev-

I know that for some there is no safe dose of alcohol. For most people though, it can be used in moderation with no health consequence.

The difference is that there is no population anywhere that carries no risk using moderate amounts of tobacco. That's a distinction. if you want to ask why a line was drawn between tobacco and the other products, that's it.

60% of cigarettes sold in America are sold at gas stations so it's not as if this will impact anyone's habits. They'll walk across the street. I'm not commenting on the morality of the decision but I admire the Machevellian genius of doing something they were probably going to be forced to do in the long run regardless. The other pharmacy chains are going to do the same eventually but they won't get the halo effect this has gotten CVS for being first.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by hi_im_god

Kev-

I know that for some there is no safe dose of alcohol. For most people though, it can be used in moderation with no health consequence.

The difference is that there is no population anywhere that carries no risk using moderate amounts of tobacco. That's a distinction. if you want to ask why a line was drawn between tobacco and the other products, that's it.

60% of cigarettes sold in America are sold at gas stations so it's not as if this will impact anyone's habits. They'll walk across the street. I'm not commenting on the morality of the decision but I admire the Machevellian genius of doing something they were probably going to be forced to do in the long run regardless. The other pharmacy chains are going to do the same eventually but they won't get the halo effect this has gotten CVS for being first.

I completely understand where you're coming from and truth be told I was playing more devil's advocate to your first post. Obviously I failed to do any research on their balance sheet as I didn't know 2 billion was only 3% of their total revenue. Only time will tell if this initiative will pay bigger dividends for them long term.