Marking the first anniversary of ending tobacco sales at its stores, CVS issued a study indicating that its decision led to a measurable decrease in the number of cigarette purchases across all retailers.
The study, conducted by the CVS Health Research Institute, evaluated cigarette pack purchases at drug, food, big box, dollar, convenience and gas station retailers in the eight months after CVS/pharmacy stopped selling tobacco products. It found an additional one percent reduction in cigarette pack sales in 13 states where CVS had a 15 percent or greater share of pharmacy, compared to states with no CVS stores. Over the same eight-month period, the average smoker in these states purchased five fewer cigarette packs and, in total, approximately 95 million fewer packs were sold.
Other indicators that the move led to attempts to quit smoking:
- The study showed a four percent increase in nicotine patch purchases in the states where CVS had a15 percent share of more in the period immediately following the end of tobacco sales;
- Since Sept. 3, 2014, the average number of MinuteClinic "Start to Stop" smoking cessation visits conducted per month nearly doubled.
Source: CVS Health infographic
Troyen Brennan, chief medical officer, CVS Health, believes the study proves critics wrong who thought many smokers would simply go elsewhere to buy cigarettes once CVS stopped selling them.
"We know that more than two-thirds of smokers want to quit — and that half of smokers try to quit each year," Dr. Brennan told USA Today. "We also know that cigarette purchases are often spontaneous. And so we reasoned that removing a convenient location to buy cigarettes could decrease overall tobacco use."
Saul Shiffman, a University of Pittsburgh psychology professor and expert in smoking and smoking cessation, said it was hard to tell if CVS had a direct impact on overall cigarette sales amid the overall decline in cigarette smoking.
Regardless, the study's findings and the anniversary prompted anti-smoking groups to call on other retailers to stop tobacco sales.
"These results make it increasingly untenable for responsible retailers — especially those in the business of providing health care services — to continue selling tobacco products," said Matthew Myers, president, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement.
- CVS Health Marks First Anniversary of Tobacco Removal With New Data on Decision's Impact, Extends Commitment to Creating Tobacco-Free Generation - CVS
- A year later, CVS says stopping tobacco sales made a big difference - USA Today
- CVS says its cigarette move affected other stores' retail sales as well - Washington Post
- One Year After Ending Tobacco Sales, CVS Health Reports Measurable, Positive Impact - Responsible Retailers Must Follow Their Example - Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids