[Popman]

Importantly, cigarettes are both low volume and high margin for retailers, despite the greedy federal and state taxes, so I imagine that CVS is going to take a hit to the bottom line, and get nothing out of the deal.

You may be right, but I'd bet when you factor in all the costs (there are many) associated with selling tobacco, it's a break even for CVS...

Retailers just don't cut out profits for altruistic reasons...

[libertarian27]

Retailers just don't cut out profits for altruistic reasons...

Sure they do....
Hence the phrase "Politically Correct"
.....it's not just for politicians....

What I find amusing is that with a $2 Billion cut in sales of this product, out of that...CVS will be 'paying' the Government -Fed/State- about $1 Billion less in taxation.