CVS's Landmark Decision to Stop Tobacco Sales: Rationale, Preparation for Implementation, and Current Experience

Smoking is the leading cause of premature disease and death in the United States with more than 480,000 deaths annually. That’s why CVS Caremark believes that tobacco products have no place in a setting where health care is delivered and this past February, they announced that they would stop the sale of all tobacco products at their more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy locations across the country.  They are the first national retail pharmacy chain to take this step in support of the health and well-being of their customers.

Hear from Eileen Howard Boone, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at CVS Caremark, who had a seat at the planning table for this major initiative. Eileen will discuss why the company made this decision, despite the estimated $2 Billion loss the company would take by exiting this category. She will also discuss the communications strategy behind the “CVS Quits” initiative, and how this announcement reignited the conversation around smoking in the United States, and had everyone from the President of the United States to the heads of the American Public Health Association, American Lung, American Cancer and American Heart Associations applauding this move.  Finally, she’ll explain the company’s plan to continue helping people lead tobacco free lives with the launch of a new cessation program this Fall.