SMOLDERING

Less Smoking After CVS Axed Tobacco

Small but significant.

CVS’s decision to stop selling tobacco products has led to a small but significant reduction in cigarette sales in some states. In a company study verified by independent researchers, sales figures show that 13 states with a significant presence of the pharmacy chain saw a 1 percent drop in cigarette sales in the eight months since the ban was implemented. The data was compared to states where the chain does not have a presence. “We thought there was a possibility we could reduce overall use of tobacco, and indeed it appears that is what happened,” said the company’s chief medical officer. “It is very rare to get this kind of natural experiment.”