CVS Stores to Stop Selling Tobacco Products

CVS/pharmacy announced today that they will no longer sell tobacco products in their stores as of October 1, 2014.

According to CNN.com:

Ending tobacco sales "is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our company to help people on their path to better health," Larry J. Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark, said in a statement.

 

The store plans to also start a smoking cessation program across the country as well.

The company will probably lose over $2 billion dollars in revenue by making this change.

So what do you think about CVS ceasing to sell tobacco products.  Do you think that they are trying to dictate the health of their shoppers?  Do you think they can survive the revenue loss while their competitors are still offering tobacco products in their stores?

The store does have the right to choose not to sell tobacco products but what is next?  Will they stop selling chocolate, chips, and other food because it is unhealthy and makes people fat?  Will they stop selling wine and beer in their stores because it is unhealthy and can lead to alcoholism.  Will they stop selling medicine in their store because people abuse substances and become addicted?

When does this end?  Why is it justifiable to stop selling tobacco products because of someone's health yet still sell other unhealthy products?