Dedham BOH Supports CVS's Decision to Stop Tobacco Sales

While pharmacies in Dedham are already prohibited from selling tobacco, Dedham Health Director Catherine Cardinale is in full support of CVS Caremark's decision to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products in stores across the country.

"I think it's great," Cardinale said. "I'm hoping that continues with the other pharmacies and health care facilities. I believe CVS is looking to gear their business toward health care."

CVS announced Wednesday it will no longer sell tobacco products in stores nationally by Oct. 1, making CVS the first national pharmacy chain to take this step.

While it has not been announced whether other major pharmacies like Walgreens would follow suit, Cardinale said she would also be in full support of that decision as well. 

"I would hope," she said. "It just makes sense. Most of the products they sell are to help you. [Tobacco's] a legal product, but it just makes more sense that they don't sell it."