Posted on 09/04/2014 11:32:12 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
CVS Caremark has followed through with its long-promised cigarette ban, as the tobacco-free pharmacy chain officially changed its name to CVS Health.
"The sale of cigarettes and tobacco at CVS pharmacy stores ends today," said Larry Merlo, president and CEO of CVS, in a video statement on the company web site. "By eliminating the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products in our stores, we can make a difference in the health of all Americans."
CVS (CVS) stopped selling cigarettes nearly a month earlier than expected, since the chain had previously announced the ban would go into effect by Oct. 1.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
Article says less than $2B out of total sales of $126B.
So something under 2%.
Possibly true. However, it doesn't seem likely many people will quit smoking because they can't them at CVS. They'll just buy them somewhere else.
[ But little clinics are really increasing in popularity. With basic walk in services at about $80 a pop, then tacking on tests and lab work (for which they need the healthcare parnerships), as well as revenues from the convienience of fulfilling prescriptions right there on site, it’s not really that bad of one. ]
Used to be when the insurance didn’t cover office visits the price of an office visit was about 80 dollars inflation adjusted to 30-40 bucks when this was the case...
These little clinics are basically a market correction to the idiocy of non-catastrophic insurance policies...
Gee is Geico Car insurance going to pay for my oil changes and new car tires.... /sarc...
I used to go to the pharmacy in the 1970’s, starting when I was 14 and bought my smokes at the counter. 25 cents a pack. If you wanted just a couple they had a fish bowl they filled with different kinds that you could get three-for-a-nickel. Although I was addicted early, and that is bad - the whole Nanny State approach to everything really got going with the cigarette, and has produced a sickening juggernaut of politicians, lawyers, taxes and stupidity that cannot be thrown off without a total revolution.
At Walgreen’s I see lots of people buying ciggies. Walgreen’s will just get more business
That, but also the severe contraction in the supply of general practitioners.
So say you’re a parent with a kid who’s been up screaming all night with an ear infection or sore/strep throat. You call the pediatricians office when they open at 8 or 9 and sure, they’ve got a slot free. At 3pm. You going to take that or just run to the nearest Little Clinic?
Now consider that your Pediatric practice just lost it’s two most senior docs to retirement, without replacement. So they can’t see you until 3pm tomorrow afternoon ...
They’ve been off the list since they announced their policy. Do ya think they’ll distribute MJ when it’s “prescribed”? If they remove/d all tobacco products, I guess maybe it’s just their way preventing strong arm robberies by 6’4” 195 lb choir boys.
Good for CVS, they’ve go the right to make business decisions and they’ve made one. Let the market (not the gov’t) decide whether it’s a good one or not.
And somewhere nearby, a reservation smoke shop manager smiles.
Don’t most people buy their smokes at 7-11?
If I bought my premium cigars there, I might be upset.....
I agree. I used one of their mini-clinics when I was on a business trip and didn’t have time to sit and wait in an urgent care.
There’s a sign up front telling you if you think you have this, this or that, (think it was ear aches, flu, colds, sore throats and a few other things) we can see you and if it’s more serious, you need to see your doc or urgent care or ER. I was glad they had that upfront because people with something more serious SHOULD go where they can get lab tests and other such things.
I had a double ear infection and strep throat, got my prescription right in the store and was out within 30 minutes. With insurance I think it cost me $20.
I must be missing something! If CVS & Merlo are so “health conscious” & want a more “medical type atmosphere,” then why do they continue to sell alcohol? I have been in my local CVS in the past, and saw so many large displays of alcohol I thought I was in my local liquor store! Of course they will continue to sell the dangerous Chantix, {a drug to stop smoking} even though it has given many of it’s victims suicidal thoughts!
What this is, is more political than anything else! Whereas the uber liberal left, also known as fascists} have had a “war on cigarettes,” for several years now! Remember Mr. Hitler also hated cigarettes like CVS does!
I don’t know ANYBODY who buys his smokes in a STORE anymore. They either get them from the reservation, by mail (risky), or from Vinnie the Kneebreaker who drives his van around town waiting for his customers to come out.
Regards,
If they want to make a difference in every ones health they should sell drugs for the same price as Costco. ]
CVS drugs highest, Costco lowest.
Or, if you’re like many folks - you buy tobacco and tubes and make your own.
I laugh at all of this silliness, who cares what a store chooses to sell. If I need a prescription filled I use a local family owned pharmacy, or even Walmart. I couldn’t tell you the last time I set foot in a CVS or even a Walgreens - there is nothing in either place that I can’t get at a better price elsewhere!
Right you are, Gabz! Though I admit that around here, I don’t see too many people rolling their own.
As for CVS, I do go in there occasionally, because they have a store literally around the corner from me. However, I don’t get my prescriptions filled there; I get those filled at a local Mom-N-Pop pharmacy. I like the personalized service.
CVS can do as it pleases. I don’t think it’s going to change their bottom line much one way or the other.
Regards,
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