topic Re: Tobacco gone at CVS? in Community Chat

Tobacco gone at CVS?

esmeraldagooch — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:10:28 GMT

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/05/cvs-becomes-first-drugstore-to-yank-controversial-product-from-its-shelves/

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

croemer — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:11:02 GMT

I just heard it on the radio.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

Cakers1 — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:17:44 GMT

Did they say anything about employees who smoke? I only saw that they will pull all cigs out by Oct. 1.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

tansy — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:18:23 GMT

On the negative side the profits from tobacco must not have amounted to much for them to miss but good for CVS.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

MrsLorraine — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:20:10 GMT

Good for CVS!

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

straykatz — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:37:30 GMT

Good for CVS!.....one of the main drugstores in my home town quit selling tobacco products a long time ago and focused on being a pharmacy...it didn't hurt their busienss but I did notice somehting odd last time I was home to visit...they added a small tobacco store to the side of the building that you can enter from outside or through a doorway inside the pharmancy....so they went back to selling tobacco products but not inside the actual pharmacy section...go figure!!!

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

bathina — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:55:49 GMT

From what I understand, they're looking to expand their minute clinic services and are hiring more clinicians and physicians assistants. They'll make up the revenue lost from tobacco sales. Wondering which pharmacies will follow suit.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

RetRN — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 19:06:45 GMT

Way to go CVS! I don't think it will hurt their business at all.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

esmerelda — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 19:08:56 GMT

On 2/5/2014 straykatz said:
Good for CVS!.....one of the main drugstores in my home town quit selling tobacco products a long time ago and focused on being a pharmacy...it didn't hurt their busienss but I did notice somehting odd last time I was home to visit...they added a small tobacco store to the side of the building that you can enter from outside or through a doorway inside the pharmancy....so they went back to selling tobacco products but not inside the actual pharmacy section...go figure!!!

It sounds like it did hurt their business, or why would they go to the expense and trouble of adding the small tobacco store?

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

Evansmom — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 19:10:12 GMT

At my local CVS I noticed the employees outside are on smoke breaks and I also can't help but notice many of the employees are morbidly obese.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

stevieb — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 19:29:51 GMT

I'm sure 7-11 and the grocery chains are thrilled... What'll remain to be seen is whether or not this will stick. They supposedly do a huge business selling cigarettes. If their bottom line takes a serious hit, someone is more than likely going to insist they rethink their decision.

And really, it's not just about cigarettes. Those who smoke and have been buying their cigarettes while at CVS shopping for other things and also filling prescriptions will simply shop elsewhere and transfer their prescriptions... While other drug stores might (or might not...) follow suit, Walmart, Target and most grocery stores now have pharmacies. I'd think CVS stands to lose far more revenue than just the millions they currently generate from cigarettes alone.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

biancardi — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:25:31 GMT

On 2/5/2014 stevieb said:
I'm sure 7-11 and the grocery chains are thrilled... What'll remain to be seen is whether or not this will stick. They supposedly do a huge business selling cigarettes. If their bottom line takes a serious hit, someone is more than likely going to insist they rethink their decision.

And really, it's not just about cigarettes. Those who smoke and have been buying their cigarettes while at CVS shopping for other things and also filling prescriptions will simply shop elsewhere and transfer their prescriptions... While other drug stores might (or might not...) follow suit, Walmart, Target and most grocery stores now have pharmacies. I'd think CVS stands to lose far more revenue than just the millions they currently generate from cigarettes alone.

they have been gone from the Boston CVS stores for a while now - at least 3 years. I don't think it affects them that much

in MA, smoking is less than 25%, might even be under 20% of the population. I suppose it would might have an affect on states where smoking percentages are higher.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

terrier3 — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:32:52 GMT

On 2/5/2014 stevieb said:
I'm sure 7-11 and the grocery chains are thrilled... What'll remain to be seen is whether or not this will stick. They supposedly do a huge business selling cigarettes. If their bottom line takes a serious hit, someone is more than likely going to insist they rethink their decision.

And really, it's not just about cigarettes. Those who smoke and have been buying their cigarettes while at CVS shopping for other things and also filling prescriptions will simply shop elsewhere and transfer their prescriptions... While other drug stores might (or might not...) follow suit, Walmart, Target and most grocery stores now have pharmacies. I'd think CVS stands to lose far more revenue than just the millions they currently generate from cigarettes alone.

Wegmans stopped selling them years ago....hasn't held them back one bit!

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

LooPY — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:47:02 GMT

On 2/5/2014 tansy said: On the negative side the profits from tobacco must not have amounted to much for them to miss but good for CVS.

Yes, good for CVS! But I agree with you--this was a business decision, and business decisions are largely based on profit and loss; if it turns out to be altruistic, so much the better! I suspect that some other issues and ills that we face will only be omitted when it becomes no longer profitable to continue.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

occasionalrain — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:54:38 GMT

On 2/5/2014 LoopyLoo said:
On 2/5/2014 tansy said: On the negative side the profits from tobacco must not have amounted to much for them to miss but good for CVS.

Yes, good for CVS! But I agree with you--this was a business decision, and business decisions are largely based on profit and loss; if it turns out to be altruistic, so much the better! I suspect that some other issues and ills that we face will only be omitted when it becomes no longer profitable to continue.

Anyone with any sense knows it was a business decision why else would they make a public announcement about it? Other stores have stopped selling tobacco products without the fanfare.

The fact is that cigarettes are expensive so most smokers buy them where they get the lowest price. CVS and other drug stores don't have the lowest price so they don't sell enough to make them profitable.

If you doubt me, next time you're in a drug store look at the limited selection of brands stocked there.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

LooPY — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 21:39:49 GMT

On 2/5/2014 occasional rain said:
On 2/5/2014 LoopyLoo said:
On 2/5/2014 tansy said: On the negative side the profits from tobacco must not have amounted to much for them to miss but good for CVS.

Yes, good for CVS! But I agree with you--this was a business decision, and business decisions are largely based on profit and loss; if it turns out to be altruistic, so much the better! I suspect that some other issues and ills that we face will only be omitted when it becomes no longer profitable to continue.

Anyone with any sense knows it was a business decision why else would they make a public announcement about it? Other stores have stopped selling tobacco products without the fanfare.

The fact is that cigarettes are expensive so most smokers buy them where they get the lowest price. CVS and other drug stores don't have the lowest price so they don't sell enough to make them profitable.

If you doubt me, next time you're in a drug store look at the limited selection of brands stocked there.

Yes and anyone with any sense knows that's exactly what I was saying. It may not be obvious to everyone, who may not be as all-seeing and all-knowing as you are. I don't doubt you for a minute. That's why every Monday, Wednesday and Friday CVS sends coupons and %off offers. They think we don't notice that that only levels the playing field.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

MathisFan — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 01:25:44 GMT

Will they stop selling liquor, too?

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

terrier3 — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 02:01:30 GMT

On 2/5/2014 MathisFan said:
Will they stop selling liquor, too?

They already can't sell it in my state...you have to be a licensed liquor store.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

mgm2 — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 02:12:41 GMT

On 2/5/2014 terrier3 said:
On 2/5/2014 MathisFan said:
Will they stop selling liquor, too?

They already can't sell it in my state...you have to be a licensed liquor store.

The same thing in my state - no alcohol sales.

We have licensed wine and liquor stores, licensed beer stores and licensed cigarette stores.

Re: Tobacco gone at CVS?

aggravated — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 18:54:06 GMT

The news program that I watched said they will lose BILLIONS in profits. The CEO made the decision - they discussed whether or not the shareholders would be happy with it or not. I buy my cigs there and, in addition, all of my other drugstore purchases as well. They email me coupons and %off offers constantly. I'm guessing the figure for loss of income is correct.