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CVS Stores Stop Selling Tobacco Oct. 1

February 5, 2014

Big health news on tobacco! CVS, the nationŠ—Ès second largest pharmacy chain, announced it will stop selling tobacco products at all of its stores on October 1. This announcement is further evidence of the impact ACS CAN and its volunteers are having in the fight against tobacco and cancer. In response to the news, American Cancer Society and ACS CAN CEO Dr. John Seffrin congratulated CVS Caremark Š—“on its decision to stop the sale of tobacco products in all of its stores. This move is an important new development in the fight to save lives from the devastating effects of tobacco use.Š— President Obama also weighed in, releasing a statement that said:

"I applaud this morning's news that CVS Caremark has decided to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products in its stores, and begin a national campaign to help millions of Americans quit smoking instead. As one of the largest retailers and pharmacies in America, CVS Caremark sets a powerful example, and today's decision will help advance my Administration's efforts to reduce tobacco-related deaths, cancer, and heart disease, as well as bring down health care costs Š—– ultimately saving lives and protecting untold numbers of families from pain and heartbreak for years to come." A new report released last month by the Surgeon General found that more than 43 million Americans still smoke and tobacco will cause an estimated 480,000 deaths this year in the U.S. If more is not done to fight tobacco in our country, 5.6 million Americans under age 18 alive today will die early from a smoking-related illness. See all that ACS CAN is doing on tobacco issues in the newest section of our web site Š—– fightcancer.org/tobacco.