CVS Health Extends its Commitment to Help People Live Tobacco Free Lives

CVS Health, the nation’s largest pharmacy company, announced Be The First, a five-year $50 million initiative to help deliver the nation's first tobacco-free generation on March 10, 2016. Recognizing that tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States and that youth use of some tobacco products is on the rise, Be The First comprises comprehensive education, advocacy, tobacco control and healthy behavior programming in partnership with organizations uniquely positioned to tackle this public health challenge.

In addition, in February of this year, CVS announced a $5 million five-year commitment to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to launch its new "Making the Next Generation Tobacco-Free" grant program. Through the program, the CVS Health Foundation will partner with Tobacco-Free Kids to provide grants to organizations committed to implementing public health strategies to reduce youth tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Jefferson County Public Health applauds CVS for its meaningful work protecting our communities from the dangers of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke. For information on the Jefferson County Public Health Tobacco Prevention Initiative and its work to support tobacco-free living, please visit www.tobaccofreejeffco.com.

Jefferson County Public Health Applauds CVS Caremark’s Decision to Discontinue Sales of Tobacco Products at all CVS/Pharmacy Locations

CVS Caremark, the largest integrated pharmacy company in the United States, announced on February 5, 2014 that it will discontinue the sales of all tobacco products in its more than 7,600 stores starting October 1, 2014. This is the first national pharmacy chain to take this important step that will significantly benefit the health of our populations nationwide. Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO of CVS Caremark, was quoted in the company’s news release saying, "Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our company to help people on their path to better health. Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose."

Jefferson County Public Health applauds CVS Caremark for recognizing the enormous burden that tobacco places on our nation, communities, and loved ones and for taking a bold stand for public health despite the financial losses they may incur. Per the company’s news release, it is estimated that it will lose approximately $2 billion in revenues on an annual basis from the tobacco shopper.

>> Read full JCPH news release.