Ace of Spades HQ

February 06, 2014

CVS Will Stop Selling Cigarettes, And Why That's Good
— Ace

Well, Patrick McMahon doesn't say the decision itself is good (he's agnostic on that), but he applauds the idea that a business can still make its own decisions about what it will sell. He offers two cheers.

I'm not sure I think two cheers are proper, or even one. I actually think it's a not-terrible idea for a drug store to stop selling cigarettes. It's a curious thing how they ever came to be sold there in the first place. And smoking is horrible, just horrible.

However, when McMahon writes...

I think it's great whenever a business takes steps to implement its vision of social purpose...
The freedom to sell what you want - or not - is a marvelous thing and should be applauded whenever it's exercised.

However, every person and every business has always had the freedom to do what the controlling forces of society encouraged them to do. One was (I hate to bring up Hitler, but...) perfectly free to extol Hitler in 1939 Germany.

The true level of freedom of any society is not determined by how free you are to do the things that the government and ruling classes want you to do, but how free you are to do the things they don't want you to do.

CVS' decision should not be faulted, I don't think, but I do not see either how it can be praised. It could be praised as regards health benefits, but not on the principle of freedom. I would not claim that CVS' decision represents a loss of freedom -- I respect their own freedom to choose what image they will offer of themselves, and what products they will sell -- but neither is it any sort of advance of freedom to adhere to the mode of thought and way of life recommended by the government and ruling classes.

There has never been a society in which you were not free to do as you were told.

To me, an advance of freedom on this score would be selling cigarettes in a place where they hadn't previously been sold. Now, the health consequences of that would be bad, but that would be a show of the freedom to do things you are told not to do.

Posted by: Ace at 12:36 PM | Comments (320)
Post contains 395 words, total size 2 kb.

1 It's a bad business decision.

Posted by: Dr Spank at February 06, 2014 12:38 PM (38LLM)

2 My insurance company just switched me to CVS. I had no choice in the matter.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 06, 2014 12:39 PM (T2V/1)

3 One was (I hate to bring up Hitler, but...) perfectly free to extol Hitler in 1939 Germany.

He got extolled a lot here, too, until he double-crossed Uncle Joe. *mutter*

Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 12:39 PM (ZKzrr)

4 They gonna sell pot instead ?

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at February 06, 2014 12:39 PM (XWw96)

5 So they keep selling liquor? How about Chocolate candy?

Posted by: Tom in CA at February 06, 2014 12:39 PM (X++D9)

6 The freedom to sell what you want - or not - is a marvelous thing and should be applauded whenever it's exercised.

Tell that to the bakers the gays have been suing.

Posted by: DangerGirl at February 06, 2014 12:40 PM (GrtrJ)

7 Great idea!

Posted by: Walgreens at February 06, 2014 12:40 PM (38LLM)

8 Weren't they also advocating for marijuana? Kind of hypocritical. . .

Posted by: NWConservative at February 06, 2014 12:40 PM (buZ/8)

9 but he applauds the idea that a business can still make its own decisions about what it will sell.

If you like your plan, tough shit--it's illegal to sell you that plan.

Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 12:40 PM (ZKzrr)

10 If they decided to stop selling birth control instead, all hell would break loose.

Posted by: Roy at February 06, 2014 12:40 PM (VndSC)

11 I think they should also stop selling magazines with either Baroque or Mooch on the cover for my mental health.

I don't smoke, so this does not impact me. I guess it is not enough to keep raising the cost of a pack of cigs to stop smokers: freedom and all that.

Will CVS also stop selling booze? That could eventually impact me. Ice cream for emergency Haagen Daz?

I still want to know what CVS gets out of this re: Obamacare. I know of one major company who is not using CVS for filling rx. There has to be a reason other than "health." I am a skeptic and the past five years has not diminished that trait.

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Duchess of Something at February 06, 2014 12:40 PM (baL2B)

12 Does this extend to the freedom of wedding photographers and cake bakers to not sell their services to gay weddings?

Posted by: CUS at February 06, 2014 12:41 PM (wcLJG)

13 According to left-liberal-prog logic we are more free and healthy now that we are not forced by greedy corporation CVS to buy and smoke cigarettes.

Posted by: George Orwell at February 06, 2014 12:41 PM (Vv4Go)

14 Speech codes on university campuses don't run contrary to pedestrian leftist thought. Ever.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 06, 2014 12:41 PM (WhJf8)

15 If cigs are so bad for everyone, the state should ban them. But they won't go all the way, they need that sweet tax revenue to use for anti-smoking programs the usual political boondoggles.

The sin taxes are always raised, and the politicians are mystified as to why the promises revenues always come up short.

Posted by: Biff Boffo at February 06, 2014 12:41 PM (YmPwQ)

16 A drug store decided to stop selling cigarettes all on their own? That's crazy!

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at February 06, 2014 12:42 PM (+lsX1)

12 Does this extend to the freedom of wedding photographers and cake bakers to not sell their services to gay weddings?

No - because gays don't have choices to go elsewhere for that service. /sarc

Posted by: Roy at February 06, 2014 12:42 PM (VndSC)

18 CVS is being applauded because smoking is frowned upon and its unhealty side effects seem to be at odds with CVS' purpose.
I am perfectly fine with allowing companies to do what fits their corporate values. We all should be fine with this and even when companies do things that we might not agree with and/or are against the "convention".
All of these people who are applauding CVS should stop and think about how they reacted when Susan Komen decided to stop funding Planned Parenthood. Of course, then it was just some kind of nutty right-wing, extremists decision and Komen was to be shunned.

Posted by: James at February 06, 2014 12:42 PM (+rT/f)

19 There is supposed to be a crossout line through "anti-smoking programs". I'm too clueless to even end up in the barrel, I guess.

Posted by: Biff Boffo at February 06, 2014 12:42 PM (YmPwQ)

20 >>>He got extolled a lot here, too, until he double-crossed Uncle Joe. *mutter* i considered mentioning that but I thought it was unnecessarily baitey.

Posted by: ace at February 06, 2014 12:42 PM (/FnUH)

21 There are some things you are free to do as a private business and others are not.

Posted by: Hobby Lobby at February 06, 2014 12:43 PM (T0NGe)

22 One was (I hate to bring up Hitler, but...) perfectly free to extol Hitler in 1939 Germany. ******** This is how I feel about the-- "To be fair" phrase.

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 12:43 PM (RJMhd)

23 Take my chaw chaw and they'll be war war

Posted by: Churchill's smokeless at February 06, 2014 12:43 PM (R6JT1)

24 So we can refuse to sell the morning after pill if we want?

Posted by: Christian Pharmacists at February 06, 2014 12:43 PM (T0NGe)

10If they decided to stop selling birth control instead, all hell would break loose.

Exactly.

Posted by: Roland THTG at February 06, 2014 12:44 PM (QM5S2)

26 I think CVS's decision is fine in itself. The part where the White House had a response from Obama ready to go when it happened is where things feel weird.

Posted by: Ian S. at February 06, 2014 12:44 PM (B/VB5)

27 How long til the government is "encouraging" other drug stores to do the same thing?

Posted by: lauren at February 06, 2014 12:44 PM (hFL/3)

28 I wonder if selling cigarettes has a lot of extra costs. I know at military facilities once Obama got in power they locked them up at the commissary. You had to go find someone with a key. Not sure if it was a local thing--or if it is still that way.

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 12:45 PM (RJMhd)

29 It may or may not be in their best interest and they are perfectly free to pursue the decision nonetheless.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at February 06, 2014 12:45 PM (DmNpO)

30 So we can refuse to sell the morning after pill if we want? That's hate. We don't take kindly to hate around here. Freedom from "job lock" however, we love that. Don't ever disagree with me again, hater.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 06, 2014 12:45 PM (WhJf8)

31 It may or may not be in their best interest
---
$2bil hit to revenue, from what I have heard.

Posted by: CUS at February 06, 2014 12:46 PM (wcLJG)

32 11 I think they should also stop selling magazines with either Baroque or Mooch on the cover for my mental health.

Every time I see one of their faces on a magazine cover, I turn all the copies around.

Posted by: DangerGirl at February 06, 2014 12:46 PM (GrtrJ)

33 CVS is being applauded because smoking is frowned upon and its unhealty side effects seem to be at odds with CVS' purpose.

CVS' purpose is to enrich its shareholders.

Maybe the anhedonic control-freaks who can't stand allowing other people to experience pleasure will switch to CVS from their usual pharmacy...but they usually don't.

Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 12:47 PM (ZKzrr)

34 either is it any sort of advance of freedom to adhere to the recommended mode of thought and way of life of the government and ruling classes.

If this were cost-free to CVS, I'd agree, but it isn't. They'll pay a very large price on their bottom line, and their shareholders may take out their anger about that on management. I think it's a pretty honorable move, and I salute them for having the courage to make this choice, even if I don't agree with it.

Posted by: pep at February 06, 2014 12:48 PM (6TB1Z)

35 I'm anti smoking but I don't believe they made this decision on their own. There must have been a great deal of pressure put on them in various ways.

Posted by: Judge Pug at February 06, 2014 12:48 PM (NRYdU)

36 Why not just make cigarettes illegal? Oh yeah, the Government cares about your health but not enough to lose those taxes....

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at February 06, 2014 12:48 PM (9+ccr)

37 Smoking is a horrible thing!? Like a gun is a horrible thing? Or maybe a bullet is a horrible thing? I know, its horrible along the lines of alcohol and pot, right? I can think of a few more things that CVS sells that led to horrible things.

Posted by: aka.john at February 06, 2014 12:48 PM (dG6mV)

38 I just think it's likely that there's some involvement by the Administration. And when a business dies something at the behest if government that's often nit the best thing for our society.

Posted by: Y-not on the phone at February 06, 2014 12:48 PM (zDsvJ)

39 I think CVS's decision is fine in itself. The part where the White House had a response from Obama ready to go when it happened is where things feel weird. Not weird at all. State approval. That's what it's all about. There's gotta be a pro quo for all this. Probably something to do with Obamacare.

Posted by: AmishDude at February 06, 2014 12:48 PM (T0NGe)

40 King Sized Candy Bars Unavailable for Comment

Posted by: garrett at February 06, 2014 12:48 PM (aQep1)

41 Is this a good decision for the CVS shareholders?

I'm guessing it probably isn't, and that makes a a "wrong" decision from the fiduciary responsibility standpoint of CVS management, even if maybe its the "healthy" one.

When I heard about this decision, I just laughed a bit. I don't smoke, but I do know that the one CVS in my town is literally right across the street from a Walgreens. Guess which store just doubled its cigarette profits overnight?

Posted by: looking closely at February 06, 2014 12:48 PM (6Q9g2)

42 Yeah.. this is a big Meh for me.. who cares? CVS stockholders, perhaps.. but not me.

Ciggies are a big seller.. and a big draw to bring people in for other stuff. I don;t shop at CVS much, but when I am at Walgreens, they are always doing a pretty brisk bizness in ciggies from behind the counter.

I laugh every time the person gets run up.. I still go WTF? $12 bucks for a pack of smokes?? Geeezus am I glad I quit 30 yrs ago!

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 06, 2014 12:49 PM (Z7PrM)

43 They ought to sell liquor, the "good" drug. I think some do already. Shit, if Walgreen's can have three candy aisles, and we know what that stuff does to you, they ought to be able so sell beer, wine, and booze. And not in some gloomy little anteroom with its own cashout counter and door to the outside. Right in the store, with the booze, the photo shop over in the corner, 250 different skus of rubbers, KY jelly in all flavors, all of it.

Posted by: the littl shyning man at February 06, 2014 12:49 PM (tmFlQ)

44 I'm anti smoking but I don't believe they made this decision on their own. There must have been a great deal of pressure put on them in various ways.

That would change things entirely, of course. So far, there's no real evidence that such pressure was applied, at least AFAIK.

Posted by: pep at February 06, 2014 12:49 PM (6TB1Z)

45 If I was running the country, I would outlaw cigs just to deny government tax revenue.

Posted by: AndrewsDad at February 06, 2014 12:49 PM (C2//T)

The reason drugstores added tobacco and wine was that they were competing against convenience stores with a natural advantage in one demographic: women who don't like shopping in c-stores.

Tobacco volume in drugstores is not real strong. Typical drugstore would take one delivery a week on mostly popular brands.

Also I too agree, they should be able to sell or not sell whatever they want (legal products of course).

Posted by: Dave in Texas at February 06, 2014 12:49 PM (WvXvd)

47 Two words: Candy Cigarettes

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b] at February 06, 2014 12:49 PM (0HooB)

48 Is this a rerun?

Posted by: Boss Moss & His Orchestra at February 06, 2014 12:50 PM (6bMeY)

49 CVS can do what it wants I guess, but I can't see how this is good for business. If smokers can't buy cigarettes there, they will lose not only that revenue, but also the revenue from the sales of gum, candy and breath mints (all of which go hand in hand with smoking), cigarette lighters, etc. Also, they may lose out on pharmaceutical sales to always sick smokers....

Posted by: JoeyBagels at February 06, 2014 12:50 PM (dcDAk)

50 Umm. I thought we had already covered this ground. The problem *may* be the co-ordination with the White House.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at February 06, 2014 12:50 PM (aDwsi)

51 If this were cost-free to CVS, I'd agree, but it isn't. They'll pay a very large price on their bottom line, and their shareholders may take out their anger about that on management. CVS and Walgreens and stores like them are not doing so well. They have huge markup on most of their products. They're as bad as 7-11 for some food items. I'm honestly a bit surprised they'd do this.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 06, 2014 12:50 PM (A0glY)

52 King Sized Candy Bars Unavailable for Comment

You can buy those with SNAP.

(That seems to be my thing this week, people bitching about things I like being allowed to be purchased, and me pointing out that FedGov subsidizes others' purchase of those items.)

Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 12:50 PM (ZKzrr)

I used to know a guy who was a high-up in the Maverick chain of stores (I've never seen one, but apparently it's a big 7-11 type chain in the mid-West). He said that if they stopped selling the smokes, booze, and porn, they'd go out of business.

I'm not sure what ultimate result this will have on CVS's bottom line, but I can't shake the feeling that they've seen a downturn in cigarette sales over the last several years, and are just trying to get a little publicity over something that will happen anyway.

Posted by: junior at February 06, 2014 12:51 PM (UWFpX)

54 Saw open enrollment at HA this morning. Couldn't bring myself to do it.

Posted by: Owlpellets at February 06, 2014 12:51 PM (9R4yV)

55 We'll supply all you need to roll your own Maginot Specials.

Posted by: Walgreen's Czech cashing at February 06, 2014 12:51 PM (R6JT1)

56 Yeah, I thought Obama coming out to congratulate CVS was kind of creepy...

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at February 06, 2014 12:51 PM (9+ccr)

57 Whatever fuck cvs and their plot to help me quit smoking. now if they would sell some nicotine oil to put in this vaporizer.

Posted by: elrobalo at February 06, 2014 12:51 PM (wH5Tk)

58 I don't care, but a $2,000,000,000.00 hit to the bottom line is a big deal for any company. And how many other convenience and impulse purchases will they forgo from the missing smoke buyers.

Posted by: rd at February 06, 2014 12:51 PM (D+lxs)

59 I'm anti smoking but I don't believe they made this decision on their own. There must have been a great deal of pressure put on them in various ways.

We don't know what their broader plan is.

They alluded to focusing on the health care aspect of their business, and this might be one part of that.

Would you not question it if, say, your doctor's office had a cigarette machine in the corner?

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 12:52 PM (SY2Kh)

60 CVS and Walgreens and stores like them are not doing so well.

Hell, you can buy drugs online now, so what exactly is their function? Must be the interaction with their pleasant, knowledgeable and fast sales staff.

Posted by: pep at February 06, 2014 12:52 PM (6TB1Z)

61 That $2B hit is to Revenue not Margin/Profit (which is the bottom line).

Posted by: aka.john at February 06, 2014 12:52 PM (dG6mV)

62 The 7/11 across from the CVS down the street from me thinks CVS's decision is a correct one too. They've just doubled their cigerette sales.

Posted by: Soona at February 06, 2014 12:52 PM (ytQi3)

63 Maybe they will get a McDoctor's Office like Walmart.

Posted by: Boss Moss & His Orchestra at February 06, 2014 12:53 PM (6bMeY)

64 The 'people' find tobacco repugnant, but are perfectly happy to profit by it.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at February 06, 2014 12:53 PM (aDwsi)

65 I laugh every time the person gets run up.. I still go WTF? $12 bucks for a pack of smokes?? Geeezus am I glad I quit 30 yrs ago! When I go out to dinner with my wife, I am always amazed at how much the alcohol costs. Neither of us drinks, so we save what, 30% on our bill?

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 06, 2014 12:53 PM (A0glY)

66 Thanks my deep love of freedom, The Sisters of Mercy are free to provide abortion coverage to all of their employees.

Posted by: Barky O'Genius at February 06, 2014 12:53 PM (8ZskC)

67
Well there is the pot smoking goin on in high school class now.

http://tinyurl.com/o5t8vbx

Which gives me an ironic laugh now that cigs bad, mj good is the new norm.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at February 06, 2014 12:53 PM (n0DEs)

68 Maybe they will get a McDoctor's Office like Walmart. Posted by: Boss ------------------- They are working on it, 'Mini Clinics'

Posted by: Mike Hammer at February 06, 2014 12:54 PM (aDwsi)

69 Ah, I don't give a shit about this. Heaven's got a Reservation, so I can get all the cheap butts I want!

Posted by: The Marlboro Man at February 06, 2014 12:54 PM (jjaLl)

70 Good on CVS. And you, federal government? Are you ready to stop profiting from the sale of a product that you know kills its citizens? Hmmmmmm?

Posted by: JR at February 06, 2014 12:54 PM (bKxJO)

71 CVS decision good for health of America.

Posted by: Big Indian at February 06, 2014 12:54 PM (8ZskC)

72 So how does will that affect the only cash register going in the store with an old timer arguing with the cashier over a coupon with a couple of dozen people in line?

Posted by: YIKES! at February 06, 2014 12:55 PM (mETGQ)

73 CVS is free to do this. I'm free to say this will likely be a REALLY stupid move on their part. Unless the costs of running their cigarette stand behind the main register are way out of proportion with the revenues, I don't see what they're going to be doing with that space now that it won't be for smokes. Alcohol won't be an option at many of these stores due to local laws, so there goes one potential use for that space. The porno mag industry is on its last legs thanks to the internet, so neither Hef nor Larry Flynt is going to ride to their rescue. They aren't going to sell guns or ammo. There aren't many other products I can think of where the need for inventory control / loss prevention would require that space to be used. I'm thinking, at best, that they end up redoing the checkout lines to maximize the amount of aisle / endcap space opened up by the changes.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at February 06, 2014 12:55 PM (/Crba)

74 53. Yup maverick is based in the little town of afton wy. I think it's the same family that owns Call Air spray planes and Christian Husky bush planes. They have a shitload of stores and cheap gas.

Posted by: Owlpellets at February 06, 2014 12:55 PM (9R4yV)

75 Would you not question it if, say, your doctor's office had a cigarette machine in the corner?

Where would they put the condom dispenser?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (8ZskC)

HYPOCRITES!

They sell DRUGS! To pregnant ladies!

And OLD people!

Posted by: Bigby's Chapped Hands at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (3ZtZW)

77 If this were cost-free to CVS, I'd agree, but it isn't. They'll pay a very large price on their bottom line, and their shareholders may take out their anger about that on management. I think it's a pretty honorable move, and I salute them for having the courage to make this choice, even if I don't agree with it. Posted by: pep at February 06, 2014 04:48 PM (6TB1Z) Ah, but it's sounding like they will gain money from all the people whose insurance plans will now only pay for prescriptions from CVS, and it sounds like the vast majority of those plans are from Federal sources, so.... quid pro quo?

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (4A8Dj)

78 24Â So we can refuse to sell the morning after pill if we want? ________ That was my only gripe yesterday when this came up. CVS is free to do whatever they want. But the irony of claiming they're doing this for health reasons, while continuing to shill abortion pills should not be lost.

Posted by: shredded chi - cereal killer at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (jRs7b)

Posted by: the littl shyning man at February 06, 2014 04:49 PM (tmFlQ)

On/Off Liquor and wine sales are a state thing.

When I lived in Iowa in the '90's, they sold liquor EVERYWHERE. The Osco drug store had the cheapest prices.

Posted by: rd at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (D+lxs)

80 Sorry, in anything other than cigarettes, the usual suspects would be screaming that CVS is being 'OMGJUDGMENTAL!!!!'.

Posted by: --- at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (MMC8r)

81 Where would they put the condom dispenser?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at February 06, 2014 04:56 PM (8ZskC)

Next to the Plan B dispenser!

Posted by: Hrothgar at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (o3MSL)

82 The pressure will probably be applied to Walgreens, RiteAid, and all the other chains to follow suit. I also found it somewhat ....odd that Obama was ready with a response and his mark of approval almost simultaneous with the news...

Posted by: JoeyBagels at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (dcDAk)

83 In my area, you can buy Ben & Jerry's with your EBT at the local CVS and Walgreens. The money they get from the Free Shit Army customer base that the Ruling Class provides is a big incentive to follow its preferred policies.

Posted by: Boomslang Joe at February 06, 2014 12:56 PM (nsg2T)

84 That $2B hit is to Revenue not Margin/Profit (which is the bottom line). Posted by: aka.john
.........
yeah.. you got that before I could.. I was wondering how much accounting goes into selling cigarettes.. must be tons with every state and municipality wanting their tax kickback.

And, too.. they will use the wall space for something else that may even be more profitable.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 06, 2014 12:57 PM (Z7PrM)

85 4 They gonna sell pot instead ?

If they do I'll patronize them. Never did more than take a hit or two in my biker days but the way this country is disintegrating?

Turn on, tune in, and drop out. Hell with all of them....

Posted by: backhoe at February 06, 2014 12:57 PM (ULH4o)

86 OK outie, yo

Posted by: Bigby's Chapped Hands at February 06, 2014 12:57 PM (3ZtZW)

87 In my many many arguments with "Pot is the most essential freedom in the world!" Libertarians, they have often noted that Cigarettes are one of the most addictive drugs every discovered. If the nature of the consumable is that it pharmacologically alters your will (Like the Brain Slugs in Futurama) is it an exercise of freedom to consume this brain altering substance? How can we tell it's really YOU making the decision, and not the brain altering chemical?

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 06, 2014 12:57 PM (bb5+k)

88 Freedom not to sell something is fine, to a point.

Posted by: The East India Trading Co. at February 06, 2014 12:57 PM (8ZskC)

89 But pot smoking is wonderful and openly celebrated. I'm sure some CO CVS's are considering selling medicinal buds along with a free sheef of ZigZags. The logic, it escapes me.

Posted by: Soona at February 06, 2014 12:57 PM (ytQi3)

90 We will see how happy their stockholders are with it. They will be punished financially by the company taking what is essentially a moral stand which may or may not comport with the beliefs of their shareholders. I wonder if alcohol is next? Does CVS even sell beer? If they emptied their shelves of everything that could hurt a person their shelves would likely be empty.

It also seems odd that some of the same people who crusade against cigarettes also want pot legalized. It would surprise me if they are not equally bad for one's lungs.

CVS can do as they please, as can their customers. But I have to think this sort of move shows a disconnect between the elite and the proletariat. It doesn't seem to have been a business decision.

Do they have a product lined up to generate the same profits from the same shelf space? Maybe they intend to push e-cigs?

Posted by: Thatch at February 06, 2014 12:58 PM (qYvEa)

91 Did ace get his groove back?

Posted by: OregonMuse at February 06, 2014 12:58 PM (JAD5c)

92 Assuming that CVS is not being unduly rewarded or pressured by the government---- (heh) --- this is fine by me. But leftists will not see this as an exercise in freedom. They will see it as an experiment in holiness, one that ought to serve as a model for all other drug stores. "Persuasion" should be used first and then force, if necessary.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 06, 2014 12:58 PM (dfYL9)

93 Ace, when that guy writes:

I think it's great whenever a business takes steps to implement its vision of social purpose...

The freedom to sell what you want - or not - is a marvelous thing and should be applauded whenever it's exercised.

You know this isn't true. He thinks its great when a business takes steps to implement its vision of social purpose - when he agrees with it.

He would be outraged if CVS were to decide to start selling guns, for instance.

it is completely dishonest to pretend you are applauding "freedom" when really what you are applauding is someone else's bending to social pressure.

Frankly, I have no problem with social pressure - it used to be a very solid means of policing society. Unfortunately, the left has completely hijacked social pressure - so we no longer put social pressure on the lazy, shiftless, promiscuous, deadbeat parents, or the like - because that would be "judgmental" or "imposing our moral values". Instead, we put social pressure on businesses not to sell cigarettes.

Among certain segments of society there is still social pressure - pressure to get a job, earn a living and support yourself and your family, pressure to get married, pressure to take care of your kids, etc. That segment of society tends to do decently economically and in regards to crime rates. It is the segments of society where no such social pressure exists where the larges problems occur, both in terms of economics and crime. There is a reason for that.

Posted by: Monkeytoe at February 06, 2014 12:58 PM (sOx93)

94 Ah, but it's sounding like they will gain money from all the people whose insurance plans will now only pay for prescriptions from CVS, and it sounds like the vast majority of those plans are from Federal sources, so.... quid pro quo?

If so, then burn them at the stake.

And, too.. they will use the wall space for something else that may even be more profitable.

Heroin?

Posted by: pep at February 06, 2014 12:58 PM (6TB1Z)

95 But, JR, it's for The Children!!

Posted by: The Federal Government at February 06, 2014 12:58 PM (hFL/3)

96 OT: Ralph Kiner passes away at 91. A great player, a class act and another face from my youth. RIP, Ralph.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 06, 2014 12:58 PM (olDqf)

97 I suspect this is laying the groundwork for in-store concierge primary care clinics to take of advantage of the changing landscape in health care either via the continuation of Obamacare and getting in on the subsidy bandwagon or cashing in on pay-as-you-go clinics, cutting out insurance. Might be a smart move in the longer term. To cut $2B in revenues, a CEO would have to convince his board of a pretty big payoff besides good PR.

Posted by: chuckinseattle at February 06, 2014 12:59 PM (w/ZL5)

98 Yeah, I think a lot of CVS' strategy can be explained by their Minute Clinics. That's a very large new revenue stream they are trying to tap into. And if the Nurse running the Minute Clinic prescribes you some meds, you'll obviously get them right there at CVS. My understanding is that CVS makes more from their drug sales than the rest of the entire store.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 12:59 PM (ZPrif)

99 When I go out to dinner with my wife, I am always amazed at how much the alcohol costs. Neither of us drinks, so we save what, 30% on our bill?

Probably closer to 50%- it's pretty common for the drinks tab to be half the check.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 12:59 PM (SY2Kh)

100 >>We don't know what their broader plan is. >>They alluded to focusing on the health care aspect of their business, and this might be one part of that. >>Would you not question it if, say, your doctor's office had a cigarette machine in the corner? CVS is owned by CVS Caremark which has always been more of a health care company and they have partnered big time with Obama on the rollout of the ACA. They are also opening more in store clinics so can't say I'm too surprised.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 06, 2014 12:59 PM (g1DWB)

101

I hate CVS, they recently told my wife that they wouldn't fill her prescription for her hormones because "Our records show that you should have 2 days left from when you last had it filled". As if they couldn't have shorted us last time, or my wife may have dropped a pill or two on the ground or in the sink. Or what if we were going out of town, somewhere that might not have a pharmacy and we would be gone for more than 2 days? It wasn't like we are talking about narcotics and possible Doctor shopping. F'in pricks.

As too whether a pharmacy should sell a legal product that is bad for your health, probably not. But then, they haven't stopped selling beer yet.

Posted by: Darth Randall at February 06, 2014 12:59 PM (xWgW3)

102

Reminder:

The same people lauding a private company for exercising its freedom to not sell something are condemning private citizens for exercising their freedom to not buy something.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider at February 06, 2014 01:00 PM (fwARV)

103 I don't shop CVS because products there cost 10-25% over what I pay for them at grocery stores.

You know what would be interesting? if they stopped selling contraceptives, ice cream, beer, oxycotin and viagra. Yeah, that would be something.

Electing to not sell tobacco is a huge nothingburger with special ketchup sauce.

Posted by: 13times at February 06, 2014 01:00 PM (fGPLK)

104 One should never buy anything in a drug store except drugs. All that other stuff is marked way up compared to places like Walmart.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 06, 2014 01:00 PM (T2V/1)

105

All I know is that the Git-n-Scram still has Marlboro Reds.

So, there's that.

Posted by: Roland THTG at February 06, 2014 01:00 PM (QM5S2)

106 Posted by: Vic at February 06, 2014 04:39 PM (T2V/1)

Well....you shouldn't be smoking anyway....it will stunt your growth.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 01:01 PM (QFxY5)

107 The reasoning from CVS--it just sounds like bullshit --though. What hypothetical doctor is sitting out there saying to himself-- "oooh I dunno CVS aslos sells cigarettes..."

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 01:01 PM (RJMhd)

108 >>>Neither of us drinks, so we save what, 30% on our bill? With us, it's at least 50%. Sometimes higher. It's why I mostly drink at home.

Posted by: DC in Towson at February 06, 2014 01:01 PM (eQJwb)

109 I was wondering how much accounting goes into selling cigarettes.. must be tons with every state and municipality wanting their tax kickback. --- Depends on the state. Based on what I've seen, the state of Louisiana sells tax stamps to the stores and then disburses that money to the various parishes and municipalities involved. The accounting on CVS's side would be to figuring out how many stamps they need as well as managing their inventory (loss prevention, rotation of product, etc.)

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at February 06, 2014 01:01 PM (/Crba)

110 But pot smoking is wonderful and openly celebrated. I'm sure some CO CVS's are considering selling medicinal buds along with a free sheef of ZigZags. The logic, it escapes me. Posted by: Soona at February 06, 2014 04:57 PM (ytQi3) Selling pot and cheap wine. Kinda like coffee and cigarettes.

Posted by: YIKES! at February 06, 2014 01:02 PM (mETGQ)

111 "Does CVS even sell beer? If they emptied their shelves of everything that could hurt a person their shelves would likely be empty." Yes. And wine. And lube. Some vices are more equal than others, it seems.

Posted by: Lauren at February 06, 2014 01:02 PM (hFL/3)

112 I suspect this is laying the groundwork for in-store concierge primary care clinics to take of advantage of the changing landscape in health care either via the continuation of Obamacare and getting in on the subsidy bandwagon or cashing in on pay-as-you-go clinics, cutting out insurance. Might be a smart move in the longer term. To cut $2B in revenues, a CEO would have to convince his board of a pretty big payoff besides good PR.

Interesting. Still, you'd think they could find lower margin to get rid of so as to clear up space for the clinics.

Posted by: pep at February 06, 2014 01:02 PM (6TB1Z)

113 Reeks of quid pro quo: CVS becomes sole ObamaCF pharmacy, but they have to give up the tobacco sales.

Posted by: Brother Cavil at February 06, 2014 01:02 PM (naUcP)

114 That was my only gripe yesterday when this came up. CVS is free to do whatever they want. But the irony of claiming they're doing this for health reasons, while continuing to shill abortion pills should not be lost.

Posted by: shredded chi - cereal killer at February 06, 2014 04:56 PM (jRs7b)

------------------------------------------------

This too. Tobacco was the first grand experiment in state propaganda. It worked so well, it's being used on everything else the government wants the proles to do. And the masses are willfully buying into it.

Posted by: Soona at February 06, 2014 01:02 PM (ytQi3)

115 lower margin = lower margin stock

Posted by: pep at February 06, 2014 01:02 PM (6TB1Z)

116 Tobacco needs to be banned. Marijuana is fine though.

And clearly the tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman calls for FDA intervention in the heroin industry.

Posted by: Mary Cloggenstein from Brattleboro, Vermont at February 06, 2014 01:02 PM (UWbv/)

117

Cig revenue for drugstores is pretty negligible. It's mostly:

1. Drugs

2. Everything else

Posted by: Dave in Texas at February 06, 2014 01:02 PM (WvXvd)

118 All I know is that the Git-n-Scram still has Marlboro Reds.

So does the Sack O' Suds. Just don't shoot the cashier.

Posted by: Vinnie Gambini at February 06, 2014 01:03 PM (8ZskC)

119 I suspect this is laying the groundwork for in-store concierge primary care clinics to take of advantage of the changing landscape in health care

You're probably right.

But it's so much easier to don the tinfoil and assume some form of nefarious coercion is behind it.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 01:03 PM (SY2Kh)

120 it is completely dishonest to pretend you are applauding "freedom" when really what you are applauding is someone else's bending to social pressure. Posted by: Monkeytoe at February 06, 2014 04:58 PM (sOx93) And this is what I suspect as well.

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 06, 2014 01:03 PM (bb5+k)

121 As for the "30 day" limit that is a State law. They are allowed minus a couple of days. That was explained to me by the pharmacist at Walmart.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 06, 2014 01:03 PM (T2V/1)

122 I'm anti smoking but I don't believe they made this decision on their own. There must have been a great deal of pressure put on them in various ways.

Posted by: Judge Pug

With the current administration, this isn't an unlikely thing.

Obama's stint has done awful things to us. Alex Jones and Art Bell now sound somewhat reasonable.

Posted by: weft cut-loop[/i] [/b] at February 06, 2014 01:04 PM (cxs6V)

123 I actually think it's a not-terrible idea for a drug store to stop selling cigarettes. It's a curious thing how they ever came to be sold there in the first place. ------------------------------- For the same reason drug stores sell liquor and beer where allowed by local ordinance: because the profit margin is obscenely high. If you've ever held a liquor license, (and I have) you quickly realize that that more liquor you can sell, above any other item you stock, the more profit you will take home. Apparently they're doing the Good Corporate Citizen thing. Wal Mart did it when they decided to stop selling firearms and ammunition in many of their stores, to shut up Rosie O'Donnell and her legions of pantsuit-straining, Beanie-baby clutching QVC toads. Plus, with the rise of Cabela's and Bass Pro Shop outlets, the outdoors supply niche was getting crowded, anyway. I'm sure they didn't feel too big a bite. Bully for them. Notice what Wal-Mart did NOT stop selling. Cigarettes and booze.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 06, 2014 01:04 PM (CJjw5)

124 I hate CVS, they recently told my wife that they wouldn't fill her prescription for her hormones because "Our records show that you should have 2 days left from when you last had it filled". As if they couldn't have shorted us last time, or my wife may have dropped a pill or two on the ground or in the sink.Or what if we were going out of town, somewhere that might not have a pharmacy and we would be gone for more than 2 days? It wasn't like we are talking about narcotics and possible Doctor shopping. F'in pricks. --- Pharmacies in general are asses about that kind of stuff. My medicine was due for a refill around the two-week period in which I was going to be getting married and going on a honeymoon and Rite-Aid gave me a bunch of shit about a refill. It took me telling them "Hey, assholes, I'm going to be out of the country when it rolls. You fill scrips in Jamaica?" for them to break down and give me about an extra week supply, which counted as a refill.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at February 06, 2014 01:04 PM (/Crba)

125 Really though, I see more cigs bought at gas stations.

Posted by: CUS at February 06, 2014 01:04 PM (wcLJG)

126 Maybe this is just a trial balloon for a larger reworking of the whole store.

Posted by: Boss Moss & His Orchestra at February 06, 2014 01:04 PM (6bMeY)

127 OT: TFG may allow us serfs to keep our crappy current plans for another three years. Maybe. He's consulting with his augerers.

Posted by: McCool at February 06, 2014 01:04 PM (nCSwS)

128 Don't smoke, never smoked. But this bugs. Moral preening at a cost of $2b in lost revenues? OK. They need to explain how they plan to replace those lost dollars.

Posted by: grandmalcaesar at February 06, 2014 01:05 PM (yrohn)

129 Big future is if Minute Clinics can start doing blood tests. Right now they can't. Which severely limits what the Nurse can do. There's some near term tech to do fast, on-site lab work that uses pin-prick blood samples. Potentially much cheaper and convenient. You walk into a CVS, get a quick cholesterol check or vitamin D check or something. That's what they want.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 01:05 PM (ZPrif)

130 "119 I suspect this is laying the groundwork for in-store concierge primary care clinics to take of advantage of the changing landscape in health care" CVS already has Minute Clinics that are good for ear infections or a strep test or that sort of thing. Oddly though, they've been closing the ones around here lately.

Posted by: Lauren at February 06, 2014 01:05 PM (hFL/3)

131 As too whether a pharmacy should sell a legal product that is bad for your health, probably not.But then, they haven't stopped selling beer yet.

Beer has health benefits.
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442463947

Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 01:05 PM (ZKzrr)

132 If the real owners of the company voted on this (you know, the shareholders) do you really think they would stop selling cigarettes and forfeit billions? I don't.

My problem with this has zero to do with the "freedom" of a company to sell whatever products they want, I didn't know it was ever a question a drug store could decide what product lines they wanted to carry.

My problem was A) it reeks of some sort of backroom government deal and B) it was probably the decision of someone who's decided their job is to be some sort of crusading political activist. They don't care one bit if it helps or hurts the actual owners, all the matters is they get to pat themselves on the back and get accolades at a cocktail party.

The nannies won't stop until they've bullied everyone into submission. CVS put a whole lot of blood in the water.

Posted by: McAdams at February 06, 2014 01:05 PM (3QYTt)

133 I prefer burning smokers on stakes for that smooth flavor, which perks me up each morning.

Posted by: Mother Earth's Green Menthols at February 06, 2014 01:05 PM (R6JT1)

134

>> Based on what I've seen, the state of Louisiana sells tax stamps to the stores and then disburses that money to the various parishes and municipalities involved.

Typically the wholesale distributor buys tax stamps from the various states in their delivery area and stamps the cigarette pack before selling to a retailer. They have these cool machines that open the case, open the carton at the bottom between the two flaps, applies the stamps and re-seals the carton and case.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at February 06, 2014 01:05 PM (WvXvd)

135 As for the "30 day" limit that is a State law. They are allowed minus a couple of days. That was explained to me by the pharmacist at Walmart. Preparing for the eventual rationing that will be eventually be necessary when we're all on govt healthcare.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 06, 2014 01:05 PM (4A8Dj)

136 I know CVS in various States, including MA, dropped cigarettes, at least in certain Counties. If they had had any real adverse effects, I'm guessing the rest of the franchises, Board, etc. wouldn't have gone ahead. Maybe there's some hidden gain, like no bums begging for cigarette money on the nearest corner, or less shoplifting.

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 06, 2014 01:06 PM (ZshNr)

137 The additional 30 million patients expected as a result of the health care reforms from the ACA essentially will have nowhere to go but packed physician clinics if not for use of convenient care clinics.

CVS' MinuteClinic has signed partnerships in the last 18 months with groups including Allina Hospitals, Emory Health, and most recently with Dartmouth-Hitchcock in New Hampshire.

Similarly, Walgreens' dramatic overhaul of store layouts to its WellExperience format includes WellTransitions - a new program designed to help patients make the transition from hospital to home via hospital and clinic partnerships. Not to be left behind, Rite Aid's online clinical service partnership with NowClinic has expanded to more than 72 cities alongside its partnered weight loss services with Lindora in Southern California.

Of things to come
The number of health care clinics nationwide and the importance of their contribution to major retailers has already begun to skyrocket. CVS led the pack with 671 clinics in mid-2013 and recently reported that more than 800 active clinics would be operating by year end. Third-quarter estimates for MinuteClinic put growth at 18% over year-over-year.

.dailyfinance.com/2013/12/23/

anyway because they have decided to be a part of the health care aca system.

i doubt they are losing a dime.

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:07 PM (nqBYe)

138 One should never buy anything in a drug store except drugs. All that other stuff is marked way up compared to places like Walmart.

Meh- I buy stuff from Walgreens from time to time.

Sure, it would be cheaper at the grocery store, but sometimes I don't want to spend 20 minutes wandering the isles and standing in the checkout line at a big supermarket when all I want is a soda and bottle of shampoo.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 01:07 PM (SY2Kh)

139 There aren't enough doctors to treat all the new medicaid patients and illegals. CVS is standing at the ready with their Nurse Practitioners and Minute Clinics. Who needs doctors?

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 01:07 PM (ZPrif)

140 Oddly enough on the '30-days' BS rule, when I went to get my last script of BP medicine refilled, for some reason they gave me a four-month supply. I figured they read the insurance wrong or somesuch, but it doesn't bother me any to not have to go back for four months.

Posted by: --- at February 06, 2014 01:08 PM (MMC8r)

141 Is this a good decision for the CVS shareholders? ------------------------------- I don't know what the profit margin on a deck of smokes for CVS was. But I do know that 1 percent of $2 Billion is twenty million dollars. So, how many tens or hundreds of millions of dollars did CVS decide they didn't need, and how are they going to replace that profit? Not revenue, profit.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 06, 2014 01:08 PM (CJjw5)

142 So where is Barry gonna get his butts?

Posted by: wth at February 06, 2014 01:08 PM (wAQA5)

143 It's funny how you bring up Hitler since his indoctrination was a Social movement just like Obama Love. It is really about the Press standing in for Society and BOOM! You are not cool if you don't get on the bus. Tell the CVS story to the baker who was told the State was forcing him to bake a wedding cake or else. Ever notice how freedom and capitalism are the natural societal states? When warped intellectuals devise something like Communism it falls completely apart and a society based on it has to start executing its' citizens due to that system being completely at odds with human nature. Ever watch the cable and network news lately and notice how the mob mentality of Twitter and other social media now fuels all of society's rules? Not following human nature. It is simply a mob. Once no one buys the false society of the new media anymore what happens? Will last and end about as long and well as the French Revolution or be institutionalized into the worst Soviet Style gulag the world has ever seen.

Posted by: Daybrother at February 06, 2014 01:08 PM (LDdOY)

144 I suspect this is laying the groundwork for in-store concierge primary care clinics to take of advantage of the changing landscape in health care either via the continuation of Obamacare and getting in on the subsidy bandwagon or cashing in on pay-as-you-go clinics,

Posted by: chuckinseattle

If you can find the CEO's interview, he explicitly says that, RE in-store clinics.

Posted by: weft cut-loop[/i] [/b] at February 06, 2014 01:08 PM (cxs6V)

145 When will they stop selling that evil milk. Kills people by the thousands every year.

Posted by: Chaos the other dark meat at February 06, 2014 01:09 PM (oDCMR)

146 And somebody mentioned yesterday: Time for Obumblrs to issue syatement on CVS - 2 hours Time for him to issue statement on Benghazi - 4 days

Posted by: shredded chi - cereal killer at February 06, 2014 01:09 PM (jRs7b)

147 This past decade, CVS stores appeared everywhere (along with Walgreens) easy corner store neighborhood access. Good to have neighborhood drug stores for Rx, et al. It is each business' concern regarding what they choose to sell or not.

Posted by: panzernashorn at February 06, 2014 01:09 PM (MhA4j)

148 One should never buy anything in a drug store except drugs. All that other stuff is marked way up compared to places like Walmart. They're hitting the 'convenience' angle. And sometimes it's worth avoiding a second stop. But yeah, even OTC drugs like ibuprofen are dirt cheap compared to Walgreens.

Posted by: --- at February 06, 2014 01:09 PM (MMC8r)

149 If the real owners of the company voted on this (you know, the shareholders) do you really think they would stop selling cigarettes and forfeit billions? I don't.

Or it could simply be the very plausible explanation that they gave for their decision.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 01:10 PM (SY2Kh)

150

Not the greatest analogy.

You were perfectly able to extol about Adolph in Germany in 1939. But no one else. Just ask any of the communists and the socialists that survived until 1946.

But CVS is on the right side of this government.

Posted by: rd at February 06, 2014 01:10 PM (D+lxs)

151 I think it's great whenever a business takes steps to implement its vision of social purpose... The freedom to sell what you want - or not - is a marvelous thing and should be applauded whenever it's exercised. It'd be nice to have that freedom...

Posted by: Florists, bakers, and photographers for traditional marriage at February 06, 2014 01:10 PM (XvHmy)

152 Obama has lackeys to get his Kools for him.

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 01:11 PM (zqvg6)

153 CVS not selling tobacco products means other outlets sell more.
What else it means, is beyond my pay grade.

Posted by: HpSun Timorus at February 06, 2014 01:11 PM (fm0RL)

154 Short CVS, long WAG

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 01:11 PM (UeKaD)

155 I do wonder when the pressure campaign to get them to drop soda and alcohol will start. Yeah, my doctor's office doesn't sell cigs. Also doesn't sell booze. Or Mountain Dew. Or giant Halloween-size bags of candy in the middle of winter. CVS does though.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 01:11 PM (ZPrif)

156 I cannot applaud CVS's "bold move" for one reason: when they elected to stop selling real cigarettes, they should have added that they were going to devote the same amount of shelf space to selling candy cigarettes. The whirling and 'sploding of the health nazis' heads would have been a real joy to watch...

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/b] [/s] at February 06, 2014 01:12 PM (HsTG8)

157 Fewer smokers going in the door means fewer gross trash cans/ashtrays, butt-filled gutters, etc.

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 06, 2014 01:12 PM (ZshNr)

158

I notice CVS isn't getting rid of their candy aisle, their soft drink display, nor their chips.

A bit inconsistent, aren't they?

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 01:12 PM (UeKaD)

159 136. Lincolntf that was my idea as well re: Big Kids up to no good. Back in our day, cigarettes were dispensed from coin vendor machines. My dad said if you never start, you don't have to quit.

Posted by: panzernashorn at February 06, 2014 01:12 PM (MhA4j)

160 Grants made possible by the Affordable Care Act have further bolstered the services offered to clinics, including and expansion of their dental clinic, doubling the size of their pediatric services and enlarge their pharmacy

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:12 PM (nqBYe)

161 I do wonder when the pressure campaign to get them to drop soda and alcohol will start.

Yesterday.

I wasn't surprised to see the usual suspects go Bloomberg on retail stores selling candy and beer, but I am surprised to see the Horde do it as well.

Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 01:13 PM (ZKzrr)

162 Sure, it would be cheaper at the grocery store, but sometimes I don't want to spend 20 minutes wandering the isles and standing in the checkout line at a big supermarket when all I want is a soda and bottle of shampoo. Your grocery store doesn't have self-checkout? It's awesome. The store I usually go to has six self-checkout stands and most people have them figured out by now. I usually walk right up to one and am done with my transaction in two minutes.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 06, 2014 01:13 PM (A0glY)

163 Grants made possible by the Affordable Care Act

Ah, the joys of fascism.

Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 01:14 PM (ZKzrr)

164 in a related business decision, CVS will start selling heroin.

market share; it's all about the market share....

Posted by: Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This at February 06, 2014 01:14 PM (omBWL)

165 157 Fewer smokers going in the door means fewer gross trash cans/ashtrays, butt-filled gutters, etc. Posted by: Lincolntf at February 06, 2014 05:12 PM (ZshNr) As for gutters filled by butts, OWS has got your back!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/b] [/s] at February 06, 2014 01:14 PM (HsTG8)

166 158 //would you like CVS to quit selling snacks as well?

Posted by: panzernashorn at February 06, 2014 01:14 PM (MhA4j)

167 CVS is standing at the ready with their Nurse Practitioners and Minute Clinics. Who needs doctors?

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 05:07 PM (ZPrif)

-----------------------------------------------

Don't forget the internet. I've done neurosurgery on myself several times and I'm fucking right as rain. Do-it-yourself medicine. There's nothin' like it.

Posted by: Soona at February 06, 2014 01:14 PM (ytQi3)

168 152 Obama has lackeys to get his Kools for him.

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 05:11 PM (zqvg6)

No way TFG is cool enough to pull off Kools. I'm thinking Benson and Hedges. Maybe Virginia Slims.

Posted by: JR at February 06, 2014 01:14 PM (bKxJO)

169 Moderate amounts of candy and soda don't harm a damn thing.Neither does a moderate amount of tobacco use,for that matter.

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 01:14 PM (zqvg6)

170 I agree that CVS as a business has the right to decide which items it will sell and which ones it will not sell. However, I reserve the right to mock them mercilessly for the stupid decision. They seem to have made that decision based on being a "health care provider". I haven't seen a lot of other "hcp" who also sell booze, sugary sodas and coffee drinks, salty snacks, or who have 20 feet of candy right in front of the check out.

Posted by: madamemayhem at February 06, 2014 01:15 PM (S2RnE)

171 I haven't smoked a cigarette in almost a year, but CVS was the last place I'd buy smokes. They were always more expensive and often stale. My guess is that they weren't making a whole lot of money on them and decided to reap some good PR in the process.

Posted by: Wyatt's Torch at February 06, 2014 01:15 PM (zxrQh)

172 The funny part is that drug stores have been locating themselves next to one another for some time. Never understood it but you find a CVS - look across the street you will find a Walgreens. Can't see how this appeals to non-smokers (you can't smoke them inside) but can see how this annoys smokers. Just don't see the business acumen in this decision. Reminds me of A&E and Duck Dynasty - just stupid.

Posted by: Chaos the other dark meat at February 06, 2014 01:15 PM (oDCMR)

173 I don't know what the profit margin on a deck of smokes for CVS was. But I do know that 1 percent of $2 Billion is twenty million dollars.

They take in about $30 billion in revenue per month. I think they'll manage.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 01:15 PM (SY2Kh)

174 I'd like CVS to stop selling toxic paint supplies. One whiff of fingernail paint or fingernail paint removers and I've got a bangin' headache.

Fingernail paint is patriarchy.

Posted by: 13times at February 06, 2014 01:15 PM (fGPLK)

175 Grants made possible by the Affordable Care Act Ah, the joys of fascism. Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 05:14 PM (ZKzrr) grants made possible by MANDATED EXTORTION OF TAX PAYERS

Posted by: panzernashorn at February 06, 2014 01:16 PM (MhA4j)

176 Both sides of the aisle have their health nazi's.

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 01:16 PM (zqvg6)

177 Lies! Lies! Tobacco is the demon weed! Tobacco Madness, I say!

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 01:16 PM (ZPrif)

178

would you like CVS to quit selling snacks as well?

No, just pointing out the hypocracy. I noted earlier that smart money will short CVS and go long on Walgreens

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 01:16 PM (UeKaD)

179 Back in our day, cigarettes were dispensed from coin vendor machines. My dad said if you never start, you don't have to quit.

Posted by: panzernashorn at February 06, 2014 05:12 PM (MhA4j)

in Germany, there were coin vending machines for bottles of beer--and for cigs

achtung, baby

Posted by: Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This at February 06, 2014 01:16 PM (omBWL)

180 So this from the link, the thing that bothers me is it smells like a lie. What doctor is worried about sending his patients to a pharmacy that sells cigarettes? He is the CVS reasoning: The company's president Helena Foulkes explains: Â“It was very important to us that, as weÂ’re working with doctors and hospital systems and health plans, that they see us as an extension of their services,Â” Foulkes said. Â“ItÂ’s virtually impossible to be in the tobacco business when you want to be a health care partner to the health care system.Â” That just smells like b.s. to me.

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 01:16 PM (RJMhd)

181 15 If cigs are so bad for everyone, the state should ban them. ... The state should not EVER be in the business of banning what is bad for you solely because it is bad for you. Period. (See Bloomberg and Big Gulps for more examples) Freedom means you get to make bad choices... and more importantly, face the consequences of those choices. These two concepts are, unfortunately, gone from our society. The result: 1. Nanny State. 2. Responsible people pay for the irresponsible because the Nanny State says that no one is responsible for themselves. The sin taxes you mention are the inevitable result of ceding the state the authority for social welfare.

Posted by: Damiano at February 06, 2014 01:16 PM (j0wOO)

182 I was a self checkout pioneer at Harris Teeter. The week they put the aisles in they were practically begging people to use them. I did. I still use them once in a while but I don't like that you have to put the stuff in the bag or on the scale thing after you scan it. Security, I know, but annoying.

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 06, 2014 01:17 PM (ZshNr)

183 Probably clearing out shelf space for legal weed.

Posted by: Beagle at February 06, 2014 01:17 PM (sOtz/)

184 Steevy @169, cor-rect! I am not a fan of this nanny nonsense. And fewer people heading in for cigarettes means fewer people heading in.

Posted by: grandmalcaesar at February 06, 2014 01:17 PM (yrohn)

185 Fewer smokers going in the door means fewer gross trash cans/ashtrays, butt-filled gutters, etc. I went to BYU for my degree. After years of being there on campus, other school campii are shockingly filthy. Cigarette butts and gum everywhere. People who come from other schools are usually astounded at how clean it is.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 06, 2014 01:17 PM (A0glY)

186 Just as long as they keep selling Magnum condoms, I'm good.

Posted by: Dr Spank at February 06, 2014 01:17 PM (38LLM)

187 Cig revenue for drugstores is pretty negligible. It's mostly: 1. Drugs 2. Everything else Posted by: Dave in Texas at February 06, 2014 05:02 PM (WvXvd) Indeed. Revenue lost $2billion. CVS revenue last year $123 billion or so. This is less than 2%. A rounding error. And if they get a few health insurance companies to prioritize CVS out of it, they'll come out ahead. FWIW, I saw a stat that drugs stores represent only 4% of total cig sales. Gas stations are by far and wide the bigger sell point.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 06, 2014 01:17 PM (GaqMa)

188 The ostensible reason why CVS doesn't want to sell cigarettes is because CVS wants to be a health hub, where people go to get health services, therefore (so the supposed reasoning goes), they should not sell products that affect your health adversely.

Of course, they still sell Cheetos, diet pills and sugary soft drinks. Dozens of vitamins and supplements that are of dubious value, if not outright harmful.

Thence lies the hypocrisy - they are only jumping on the politically correct bandwagon, not exercising their market freedom to actually promote health.

I use CVS, they are not bad as a retailer, but that doesn't mean I am willing to swallow their BS explanation for stopping selling tobacco for one second.

Posted by: West at February 06, 2014 01:18 PM (1Rgee)

189 CVS Embraces Obamacare as Potential Profit Boost >>CVS Caremark is looking at changes in U.S. healthcare as an opportunity to serve more customers, whether they are picking up prescriptions, getting them through the mail or stopping by an in-house MinuteClinic for a checkup. http://tinyurl.com/o52fsoa Humana to market Obamacare coverage in CVS pharmacies Insurance and well-being company Humana Inc. has struck a deal to work with pharmacy giant CVS to educate individuals and their families about health care coverage options resulting from the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. http://tinyurl.com/m6l726o CVS Pushes Obamacare With Federal Â“NavigatorsÂ” in Stores CVS is not only promoting Obamacare in their stores, but also allowing Â“Navigators,Â” who are untrained and without background checks, into their stores to convince and coerce customers to sign up for state health insurance exchanges. These exchanges are riddled with privacy intrusions, limited choice in doctors, and increased costs to both citizens and taxpayers. http://tinyurl.com/oek4lz7 Pretty sure theres a larger profit margin partnering with the government than there is selling butts.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 06, 2014 01:18 PM (g1DWB)

190 "ItÂ’s virtually impossible to be in the tobacco business when you want to be a health care partner to the health care system.Â” Especially when Dear Leader tells you that you can't.

Posted by: Lauren at February 06, 2014 01:18 PM (hFL/3)

191 CVS, ExpressScrip, and the VA prescription department are an unholy crony-type menage-a-trois. So I guess pRince uBamba feels justified in ordering one of 'his' satraps about. Eh, what? It's all government, right? I wonder how much bacsheesh CVS got out of the uBambacare?

Posted by: Erowmero at February 06, 2014 01:18 PM (OONaw)

192 Do not the races on cigarette sakes help pay for children's health care? WHY DOES CVS HATE CHIKDREN?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/b] [/s] at February 06, 2014 01:18 PM (HsTG8)

193 CVS' decision should not be faulted, I don't think, but I do not see either how it can be praised. What they do with their own franchise is their business. Where the line should be drawn is when they begin to try pressuring other outfits directly or indirectly to do as they do.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at February 06, 2014 01:18 PM (jVaLp)

194 The insanity of "cigarettes are more addictive than heroin" does not meet my experience.

When the late Miss Emily had that horrible neck surgery- a "one hour operation, recover & go home the same day" turned into an 2-day nightmare.

She was there 36 hours. I stayed with her all the time- except to go home & let Taffy-girl out. Yes, I smoke. Every so often I'd slip into the parking lot to have a smoke- with half the hospital's personnel and most of the local junkies. Who were, oddly, pretty nice people....

But miss having a smoke to look out for wife, best friend, and baby? No way. These people are extremists of the worst kind.

Posted by: backhoe at February 06, 2014 01:18 PM (ULH4o)

195 171 I haven't smoked a cigarette in almost a year, but CVS was the last place I'd buy smokes. They were always more expensive and often stale. My guess is that they weren't making a whole lot of money on them and decided to reap some good PR in the process. Posted by: Wyatt's Torch at February 06, 2014 05:15 PM (zxrQh) *********** ^This. And get some "Do -Gooder" points like hypothetical carbon credits, or something. Their excuse sounds like pure bull ldinkies.

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 01:18 PM (RJMhd)

196 I notice CVS isn't getting rid of their candy aisle, their soft drink display, nor their chips.

A bit inconsistent, aren't they?

People rarely die from cancer brought on by their Pringles addiction.

Do you really want to slide down the 'snack foods are as bad as cigarettes' slope that leftist nanny staters are trying to build?

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 01:19 PM (SY2Kh)

197 161 I do wonder when the pressure campaign to get them to drop soda and alcohol will start.

Yesterday.

I wasn't surprised to see the usual suspects go Bloomberg on retail stores selling candy and beer, but I am surprised to see the Horde do it as well.

Posted by: HR at February 06, 2014 05:13 PM (ZKzrr)

I think most here are just pointing out their hypocrisy. If you're pulling the "being health conscious," BS to justify your decision to stop selling tobacco and seem perfectly fine to take the hit on your profit then why aren't you doing that for the other unhealthy products you sell? I don't think I've seen anyone here say "That's a good start now, they need to get rid of beer and candy bars," with a straight face.

Posted by: buzzion at February 06, 2014 01:19 PM (LI48c)

198 Filterless cigarettes are less messy.

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 01:19 PM (zqvg6)

199 Based on what I have seen, CVS is losing the battle with Walgreens. I would guess that they are hoping this gets them some democrat allies, and some preferential treatment over their competitor.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 01:19 PM (UeKaD)

200 if you prick Obama, does he not smoke?

Posted by: Will S., dead playright at February 06, 2014 01:20 PM (omBWL)

201 ]There's some near term tech to do fast, on-site lab work that uses pin-prick blood samples. Potentially much cheaper and convenient. You walk into a CVS, get a quick cholesterol check or vitamin D check or something. That's what they want. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 05:05 PM (ZPrif) Near term? not even that. Istat exists. I've used one for over 3 years now. THEY ARE AWESOME: http://www.abbottpointofcare.com/

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 06, 2014 01:20 PM (GaqMa)

202

People rarely die from cancer brought on by their Pringles addiction.

Do you really want to slide down the 'snack foods are as bad as cigarettes' slope that leftist nanny staters are trying to build?

No, as I said earlier, I am just pointing out the hypocrisy of their position.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 01:20 PM (UeKaD)

203 Let me think long and hard about CVS not selling cigarettes any longer.
Nope, I just don't give a crap.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 06, 2014 01:20 PM (zfY+H)

204 Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 06, 2014 05:17 PM (GaqMa)

Revenue is a deceptive number. What is their profit on that $2 billion?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 01:20 PM (QFxY5)

205 Pretty sure theres a larger profit margin partnering with the government than there is selling butts. Posted by: JackStraw at February 06, 2014 05:18 PM (g1DWB) ******** That sounds a lot more plausible than-- "We Got A Sudden Case of The Do--Gooders!!!"

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 01:20 PM (RJMhd)

206 CVS's enabling of magazine cigarette ads is unconscionable and an evil influence on unborn children whose mothers carelessly flip through such glossy spreads of carnage.

Posted by: Sugared Gum-free Zone at February 06, 2014 01:21 PM (R6JT1)

207 "The state should not EVER be in the business of banning what is bad for you solely because it is bad for you. Period. " That's not a serious statement. There are tons of industrial chemicals and biological agents you are not allowed to possess. And I'm fine with living in a world that doesn't have corner franchises selling crack cocaine. It's a cost-benefit analysis. Some things have such high costs and such low benefits that we ban them.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 01:21 PM (ZPrif)

208 Everything in moderation,that's my policy.

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 01:21 PM (zqvg6)

209

And smoking is horrible, just horrible.

Well, duh, real men use moist snuff or leaf.

Posted by: HoosierHillbilly at February 06, 2014 01:21 PM (Yojj7)

210 @ 187. Hmmm. When my business is down 2% we don't call it a rounding error. Not meaning snark, just serious. Every fraction is fought for. And you never give up the fight.

Posted by: grandmalcaesar at February 06, 2014 01:21 PM (yrohn)

211 When will they stop selling that evil milk. Kills people by the thousands every year.

Posted by: Chaos the other dark meat at February 06, 2014 05:09 PM (oDCMR)

----------------------------------------------

And they still sell peanuts. Fucking peanuts, people. Don't they know peanuts have the potential to kill thousands?

This list of supposed dangerous substances could go on and on. And I'm sure some leftist organization or some government subsidized "medical expert" is looking into every one of them.

Posted by: Soona at February 06, 2014 01:22 PM (ytQi3)

212 CVS-- "We Woke Up and Broke Out In a Mary Poppins Rash!!"

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 01:22 PM (RJMhd)

213 I smoke a pipe now.I noticed on the bag of pipe tobacco that it is illegal in the State of Florida.No non pot pipe smoking in Floriida?

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 01:23 PM (zqvg6)

214 192 Da FAQ? I have got to start reviewing comments before posting - autocorrect really jacked me around on that one...

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/b] [/s] at February 06, 2014 01:23 PM (HsTG8)

215 185 Fewer smokers going in the door means fewer gross trash cans/ashtrays, butt-filled gutters, etc. I went to BYU for my degree. After years of being there on campus, other school campii are shockingly filthy. Cigarette butts and gum everywhere. People who come from other schools are usually astounded at how clean it is. Posted by: bonhomme at February 06, 2014 05:17 PM (A0glY) I found your shit unsat. Everything needed polishing.

Posted by: Citadel cadet at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (6aI1M)

216 CVS-- "The Mormons Highjacked US!!"

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (RJMhd)

217 They seem to have made that decision based on being a "health care provider". I haven't seen a lot of other "hcp" who also sell booze, sugary sodas and coffee drinks, salty snacks, or who have 20 feet of candy right in front of the check out. Posted by: madamemayhem at February 06, 2014 05:15 PM (S2RnE) funny or not, I wouldn't be surprised should the candy etc. become the new norm at a corner drugstore technician's health-clinic check-out counter. Not so different from the Texas major grocery store chains and Target and Walmart with the Pharmacy adjacent to the candy, makeup and magazine, frozen treat aisles, easy access to non-prescription purchases bought through the pharmacy check-out.

Posted by: panzernashorn at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (MhA4j)

218 "ItÂ’s virtually impossible to be in the tobacco business when you want to be a health care partner to the health care system.Â” Sorry, I don't view the drugstore as a 'health care partner' any more than I view the gas station as part of the auto industry. NP clinics aside (which Walgreens has had for years), a pharmacy with 5,000 sq/ft of sundries, toys, stationary, makeup and further notions ain't a hospital.

Posted by: --- at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (MMC8r)

219 I think it will be good for Walgreens and other similar stores. It's the marketplace and it will sort itself out. I really don't care. If you bought your cigs there in the first place, I gather you are an idiot because they are apparently more expensive than buying them at Sam's or something. You know, planning ahead like an adult and not needing to run into CVS for a pack of smokes.

Posted by: Dang at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (MNq6o)

220 I view the Minute Clinics at CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart etc. as a good thing.

If you have ever had to wait in an ER waiting room for any length of time (especially in the winter) you would see a parade of mothers with crying babies with cough and colds and ear infections (mostly non-english speaking in my area).. in the friggin Emergency Room!

These clinics will reduce some of that.. and insurers would be smart to make agreements with those drug stores to provide these services.. most of the shit people go to the doctor for (and sometimes to the ER for) can be handled by a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant. They can handle initial assessments quite nicely.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (Z7PrM)

221 Safeway says it's profit margin is one percent.

one percent of billions is a lot of hummus and schnitzel

Posted by: Wanda Jean ( always clean ) at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (omBWL)

222 When I smoked, as was noted above, CVS was the worst place to buy cigarettes. Expensive, often they didn't carry my brand, Winston, which is pretty damned common, and sometimes you were buying coffin nails from a guy with a doctor's coat. Just not good.

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (ZshNr)

223 Posted by: grandmalcaesar at February 06, 2014 05:21 PM (yrohn)

Dude.

tsrblke is an academic. But definition he has no idea what he is talking about, and probably has never worked an honest day in his life.

[tsrblke....just kidding, but I had to take the shot.

)

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (QFxY5)

224 How much is a carton of cigarettes these days, about $60? A friend of mine had fraud on his debit card. The person charged $1000 at Walgreens. Must have been buying cartons to resale.

Posted by: no good deed at February 06, 2014 01:24 PM (vBhbc)

225 Revenue is a deceptive number. What is their profit on that $2 billion? Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 05:20 PM (QFxY5) ------------------------- There'd be some dead fucking accountants that made a $20 million "rounding error" with my equity. But yeah, it's just money. People invest their hard-won earnings in companies so they can feel good about not making returns on selling cigarettes.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 06, 2014 01:25 PM (xXh5c)

226 jackstraw and merging with ownership of clinics to assist in profit and those sweet govt grants.

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:25 PM (nqBYe)

227 CVS-- "We're Virgins-Now!!!"

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 01:25 PM (RJMhd)

228 It would "make sense" to force all stores and churches to sell abortifacients. To do anything less would be "to slut shame womyn."

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at February 06, 2014 01:25 PM (thBHI)

229 No, as I said earlier, I am just pointing out the hypocrisy of their position.

You're looking for hypocrisy where there is none.

I don't know of many medical doctors who would warn against the occasional Pepsi or Dorito.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 01:25 PM (SY2Kh)

230 Do not know if this was mentioned already, but I feel the same way about this as I do about Chick-Fil-A not being open on Sunday: It is the businesses choice on how they conduct business as long as it does not harm anyone else. Hell, I have much more often been jonesing for a four piece chicken tender on a Sunday than I have had a hard time finding a pack of Camel Wides. (As I write this I am trying out my new e-cig attachment. So far, it rocks!)

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2014 01:26 PM (TGgNi)

231 Revenue is a deceptive number. What is their profit on that $2 billion? Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 05:20 PM (QFxY5) :shrugs: Dunno. I've got the numbers I got.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 06, 2014 01:26 PM (GaqMa)

232

Revenue is a deceptive number. What is their profit on that $2 billion?

Walgreens profit margin is 3.7%. CVS is 3.5%

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 01:26 PM (UeKaD)

233 I don't really care if they sell or don't sell. What I care about is the fact that they're doing this because barrack and/or Michelle pressured them into doing it.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at February 06, 2014 01:26 PM (0LHZx)

234 Everything in moderation,that's my policy.

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 05:21 PM (zqvg6)

Including moderation?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 01:26 PM (QFxY5)

235 I think it's great whenever a business takes steps to implement its vision of social purpose. Yeah, CVS is SOO courageous and has a "Social Purpose" Want some Mad Dog 20/20 or The Bull? Both high alcohol hobo/urban drinks. We still got that shit for you. Rubotusen? come on over!

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 06, 2014 01:26 PM (0FSuD)

236 204 Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 06, 2014 05:17 PM (GaqMa) Revenue is a deceptive number. What is their profit on that $2 billion? Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 05:20 PM (QFxY5) And how much extra management time, training, regulatory crap, etc. do they have to deal with to move that product. I suspect cigs are a PIA, different taxes and regs in every county and city, legal issues every time someone gets caught selling to kids, etc.

Posted by: Citadel cadet at February 06, 2014 01:26 PM (6aI1M)

237 awesome Rob Ford picture http://bit.ly/1jj2tkw

Posted by: The Dude at February 06, 2014 01:27 PM (bStrg)

238 Sock off

Posted by: Jean at February 06, 2014 01:27 PM (6aI1M)

239 Well ok, it's not nothin. EoJ's right, what do you do to replace the profit. Using his margin that's about $2700 a store per year.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at February 06, 2014 01:27 PM (WvXvd)

240 "It could be praised as regards health benefits, but not on the principle of freedom." Only if you accept the premise that someone who wanted to buy cigarettes at CVS would otherwise buy NO cigarettes. My local grocery store closed; should I expect thousands of my neighbors to starve to death? If not, this logic of "health benefits" seems faulty.

Posted by: gekkobear at February 06, 2014 01:27 PM (ltbXf)

241 It doesn't matter to me what CVS chooses to sell or not sell, and I don't care if their reasons are good or silly. That's their business. The cronyism, the collusion between the business and the State, disturbs me. So IF this decision stems from that, it annoys me...... along with many other greater annoyances.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 06, 2014 01:27 PM (dfYL9)

242 Leftism has its own notions of individualism. 'Individualism devoid of individuality.'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at February 06, 2014 01:27 PM (thBHI)

243 chitown, i do also, less cost than running an ER , leaving ER's open for real emergencies.

but cvs concern with selling items that can contribute to unhealthy lifestyles isn't a sell for me.

otherwise they'd only sell h20 some eat your peas and meds as a pharmacy.

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:27 PM (nqBYe)

244 Walgreens profit margin is 3.7%. CVS is 3.5%

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 05:26 PM (UeKaD)

On their gross revenue.

What is their profit margin on the $2 billion of cigarettes?

It might be hugely profitable, or it might be a loss-leader to draw people to the store.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 01:27 PM (QFxY5)

245

-------------------------------------------

But they do contribute to heart disease and obesity. They must be banned!

Posted by: Soona at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (ytQi3)

246 'Conformist individualism.'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (thBHI)

247 NPR has been hittin' the CVS story hard for two days straight. It's pre-approved by the progcollective.

Posted by: 13times at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (fGPLK)

248 193. What they do with their own franchise is their business. Where the line should be drawn is when they begin to try pressuring other outfits directly or indirectly to do as they do. Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at February 06, 2014 05:18 PM (jVaLp) Exactly.

Posted by: panzernashorn at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (MhA4j)

249 Rubotusen? come on over! Posted by: Nip Sip at February 06, 2014 05:26 PM (0FSuD) If it would increase sales, they would put it on an end cap with the Skittles and Watermelon tea.

Posted by: Jean at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (6aI1M)

250 234 Of course.

Posted by: steevy at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (zqvg6)

251 It doesn't matter to me what CVS chooses to sell or not sell, and I don't care if their reasons are good or silly.
That's their business.

The cronyism, the collusion between the business and the State, disturbs me. So IF this decision stems from that, it annoys me...... along with many other greater annoyances.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 06, 2014 05:27 PM (dfYL9)

good post

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (nqBYe)

252

I see far more people being damaged by the amount of prescription medications being prescribed than I do cigarettes. Over prescribing of medications is one of the biggest health issues we have. CVS will never advocate for a review of how medications are prescribed because it would significantly effect their bottom line. Getting rid of cigarettes is the safe way to posture for standing up for health.

Posted by: polynikes at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (m2CN7)

253 And of freedom. 'The freedom to do as you're told.'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at February 06, 2014 01:28 PM (thBHI)

254 Everything needed polishing. Hmm, I got something you can polish right here. Do they really polish everything at the Citadel?

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 06, 2014 01:29 PM (A0glY)

255 They can handle initial assessments quite nicely.
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry

Damn right. A doctor doesn't need to see me just to refill the prescription for my extra ginormous condoms. Or my anti-delusional medication.

Posted by: Dang at February 06, 2014 01:29 PM (MNq6o)

256 If you have ever had to wait in an ER waiting room for any length of time (especially in the winter) you would see a parade of mothers with crying babies with cough and colds and ear infections (mostly non-english speaking in my area).. in the friggin Emergency Room!

These clinics will reduce some of that.. and insurers would be smart to make agreements with those drug stores to provide these services.. most of the shit people go to the doctor for (and sometimes to the ER for) can be handled by a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant. They can handle initial assessments quite nicely.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 06, 2014 05:24 PM (Z7PrM)

_____________

I think the people who will use these clinics are people who would otherwise go to their family doctor. The people who are in the ER for the sniffles (ie non-English speaking) will continue to go to the ER. Waiting 2 hours isn't really a big deal when you're on welfare, not like you have anything better to do.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at February 06, 2014 01:29 PM (0LHZx)

257 I smoke a pipe now.I noticed on the bag of pipe tobacco that it is illegal in the State of Florida.No non pot pipe smoking in Floriida?

Taxes.

Go to any tobacco store and you'll find bags and bags of roll-your-own cigarette tobacco sold as "pipe tobacco". They do this because it's taxed at a lower rate than cigarette tobacco.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 01:29 PM (SY2Kh)

258 >>Well ok, it's not nothin. EoJ's right, what do you do to replace the profit. Using his margin that's about $2700 a store per year. They are reaping big new dollars from Medicare Part D. And I bet they made this decision a year ago when they decided to go all in on Obamacare. If you believed 30 million newly insured people were coming into the system wouldn't you trade that profit margin for $2700/store?

Posted by: JackStraw at February 06, 2014 01:29 PM (g1DWB)

259 235 Rubotusen? come on over! Posted by: Nip Sip at February 06, 2014 05:26 PM (0FSuD) There were kids who did that in my high school class (or as they called it "Picking up some 'Tusin.") Kind of makes me wonder about that episode of House where they said that cough syrup lowered your IQ. Certainly my experience watching these idiots tracked.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2014 01:30 PM (TGgNi)

260 Are they still selling Fat Free Gummi Bears?

Posted by: garrett at February 06, 2014 01:30 PM (raxRV)

261 @ 235. Yes they must have calculated that the PR upside was worth the lost real money. I don't see it. Or there's a behind the scenes government deal. Somewhat plausible, I guess. I don't care if they don't sell cigarettes but I would like to understand their calculation here.

Posted by: grandmalcaesar at February 06, 2014 01:30 PM (yrohn)

262 254 and 255 Two dick jokes in a row! What are the odds? Never mind.

Posted by: Dang at February 06, 2014 01:30 PM (MNq6o)

263

With CVS' buyout of Minute Clinic in 2006 and Walgreen's acquisition of Take Care Health clinics in 2007, the retail pharmacy clinic segment experienced a period of rapid growth; the number of stores countrywide nearly doubled in 2006 and again 2007. This growth eventually plateaued at roughly 1,200 retail health clinics across the country in 2009, but came to a grinding halt later that same year over worries about the direction of health care reform.

However, a recent wave of partnerships are beginning to pay off big for pharmacy-based clinics that are quickly becoming front-line assets for big box retailers

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:30 PM (nqBYe)

264 Like all other socially responsible businesses, CVS exists to provide jobs to employees, not raise profits!

Posted by: Grind to a halter at February 06, 2014 01:31 PM (R6JT1)

265 People invest their hard-won earnings in companies so they can feel good about not making returns on selling cigarettes.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 06, 2014 05:25 PM (xXh5c)

Fuck yes.

In my next life I am going to start a mutual fund that invests only in companies that piss off the Left.

Guns
Oil
Tobacco
Lumber
Fur
Seal meat
whaling equipment

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 01:31 PM (QFxY5)

266

What is their profit margin on the $2 billion of cigarettes?

It might be hugely profitable, or it might be a loss-leader to draw people to the store.

Impossible to dig it up as an outsider, but probably substantially less than their candy and soft drink sales, so they can pretend that they are doing it in the name of health.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 01:31 PM (UeKaD)

267 EoJ I put a contract of CVS as soon as heard the news. I may not give a shit, but I will happily take the money of those that do, god bless them

Posted by: Jean at February 06, 2014 01:31 PM (6aI1M)

268 Ace is correct, as usual. What he doesn't seem to be saying (it's sort of the 5 lb puppy in the room) is that people seem to be trying to make some sort of big political statement about it, but there really isn't much "there" there. CVS is making a branding decision, plain and simple. It's a business. The stuff about a "vision of social purpose" is liberal crapola. An organization that sells health care pharmaceuticals and supplies isn't going to sell cigarettes anymore? What's next? Hospitals with parking lots configured so that visitors can safely enter the building? Or with a healthy menu for patients? What's the world coming to??? Ace DOES implicitly take on some nonsense I have seen on the subject - where CVS is being applauded for "bravely" dropping cigarettes. You can tell some liberal made that one up. Excuse me, I have to go courageously use the potty, after which I hope to muster the courage to go fetch some dinner.

Posted by: Optimizer at February 06, 2014 01:31 PM (saDM3)

269 Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 05:24 PM (QFxY5) Meh, I was too flippant fine. "Rounding error" may be a bit extreme, and I don't know if the 2bil includes taxes (which are collected prior to sale and passed on for cigs IIRC) or not. However, as I said, drug stores are only 4% of the cig market. That is to say, it wasn't that big of a market for them either. They've picked up a shit ton of free advertising too in the last few days. 2bil/year worth? No not yet. However, I suspect they won't alienate as many people as one would expect (since most smokers don't buy their cigs at drug stores), and it I suspect they'll be able to offset the losses pretty quickly with a combination of sucking up to insurers (did I mention my plan already favors NP clinics over a doctor by subjecting the latter to a deductible?) and other sales. (Less "behind the counter" space leaves more opening for the gauntlet of impulse buys most stores make you go through for example.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 06, 2014 01:32 PM (GaqMa)

270 They'll make up for the loss in candy cigarette sales.

Posted by: Dang at February 06, 2014 01:32 PM (MNq6o)

271 The profit margin on cigarettes is much higher than the margin on food or other similar products. Second, they are going to lose sells on smoking related products. And third, they're going to lose customers who may have gone there to purchase drugs or other health shit they sell.

Posted by: Dr Spank at February 06, 2014 01:32 PM (38LLM)

272 If you have ever had to wait in an ER waiting room for any length of time (especially in the winter) you would see a parade of mothers with crying babies with cough and colds and ear infections (mostly non-english speaking in my area).. in the friggin Emergency Room!

These clinics will reduce some of that.. and insurers would be smart to make agreements with those drug stores to provide these services.. most of the shit people go to the doctor for (and sometimes to the ER for) can be handled by a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant. They can handle initial assessments quite nicely.

I would make a poor ER doc. My initial assessment would be you are a f*****g idiot. Get out of my ER.

Posted by: pep at February 06, 2014 01:32 PM (6TB1Z)

273 265 Do not forget tasty chicken sandwiches (CFL) and craft supplies (Hobby Lobby.)

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2014 01:32 PM (TGgNi)

274 I don't care if they don't sell cigarettes but I would like to understand their calculation here.

Did you start by reading their explanation for this decision?

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 06, 2014 01:32 PM (SY2Kh)

275 There has never been a society in which you were not free to do as you were told. ----------------------------------------------- Oh, so we can CAN keep our health care plans?

Posted by: irright at February 06, 2014 01:32 PM (8GKDa)

276 What he doesn't seem to be saying (it's sort of the 5 lb puppy in the room) is that people seem to be trying to make some sort of big political statement about it, but there really isn't much "there" there.

CVS is making a branding decision, plain and simple. It's a business. The stuff about a "vision of social purpose" is liberal crapola.

Posted by: Optimizer at February 06, 2014 05:31 PM (saDM3)

____________

You'd have a point IF CVS weren't the preferred pharmacy for hundreds of Obamacare plans. This cannot be a coincidence. No way.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at February 06, 2014 01:33 PM (0LHZx)

277 CVS wants to expand their health care biz. Key part will be selling diagnostic tests via Minute Clinic.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 01:33 PM (ZPrif)

278 meh, just buy an e-cigarette

Posted by: The Dude at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (bStrg)

279 O/T And for real--breaking on CNN Top US Diplomat: "F**K The EU" (I think it could be Ice -T)

Posted by: tasker at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (RJMhd)

280 One more point, CVS told the Boy Scouts to get fucked over ten years ago. SO FUCK THEM.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (0FSuD)

281 EoJ I put a contract of CVS as soon as heard the news. Easy money.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (xXh5c)

282

The profit margin on cigarettes is much higher than the margin on food or other similar products. Second, they are going to lose sells on smoking related products. And third, they're going to lose customers who may have gone there to purchase drugs or other health shit they sell.

Most of the profit in tobacco goes to the producers, which is why their stocks yield so much more than the S&P average dividend payer.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (UeKaD)

283 There were kids who did that in my high school class (or as they called it "Picking up some 'Tusin.") Kind of makes me wonder about that episode of House where they said that cough syrup lowered your IQ. Certainly my experience watching these idiots tracked. Lots of kids at my high school drank and did some drugs. However, I only knew three kids in high school that were out and proud stoners. One disappeared six months before graduation. Four months later one of the others found out he was following the Grateful Dead, selling water bottles to the tourists. He'd had some old mushroom and in that state left town.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (A0glY)

284 271 On the bright side, if everyone goes to walgreens across the street, they will go out of business and the market will intone "Bad Business decision!" Unless the federal government decides to bail them out.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (TGgNi)

285 Leftism is the desire to conform and to compel others to do the same. Statism. But also crass social animalism, leveraging the mechanisms of peer pressure, shame, and deference to authority to crush the individual and maximize homogeneity.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (thBHI)

286 People rarely die from cancer brought on by their Pringles addiction.

Do you really want to slide down the 'snack foods are as bad as cigarettes' slope that leftist nanny staters are trying to build?

-----

They from obesity, though. Right?

I know, there's no such thing as second-hand fat. Death is death.

Posted by: Biff Boffo at February 06, 2014 01:34 PM (YmPwQ)

287 @hollowpoint. Sure I read their explanation. Pure PR. But I think there's more to their decision than that. Or maybe not!

Posted by: grandmalcaesar at February 06, 2014 01:35 PM (yrohn)

288 it's sort of the 5 lb puppy in the room

Posted by: Optimizer at February 06, 2014 05:31 PM (saDM3)

I have no idea what that means, but I am hugely amused by it.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2014 01:35 PM (QFxY5)

289 They just had to make room for the packs of joints.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: Hazelnut Brownies! We have lift off! at February 06, 2014 01:35 PM (IXrOn)

290 You'd have a point IF CVS weren't the preferred pharmacy for hundreds of Obamacare plans. This cannot be a coincidence. No way. Well, they DO have great prices on "The Bull." (I denounce myself)

Posted by: LeRoy at February 06, 2014 01:36 PM (0FSuD)

291 The Ukraine audio leak is kinda huge. Do we have any freaking security? State dept does a shit job at doing it's job.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 06, 2014 01:37 PM (ZPrif)

292

The Minute Clinics, or things like them, are a very welcome and long mysteriously absent element to the health care scene. This has nothing to do with the ACA atrocity.

Go back in time a few years, before the national collapse (i.e., the ineffable idiocy of the ACA and everything about it, from its "content" to its passage to the final collapse of the constitutional system in Roberts' arrogant, cowardly, and stupid ruling). One of the pathologies of the American health care system was too much use of high-end, capital and training intensive, medical care for small common problems. Mostly, yet another result of the cartelized, non-market pattern where consumers and prices never met ("insurance paid for it!").

A strep throat test, an ear infection (mentioned by someone else), a small sliver in the hand, a cut that's too serious to ignore but below the scale calling for the emergency room, a tetanus booster - on and on and on. These things have no business in a hospital or doctor's office.

One feature of the post-ACA America I dream of (OK, it'll never happen) is an abundance of Minute Clinics/clones, with all of the virtues of restoring economic/market sanity and discipline to the low end of health care. Low-cost memberships, competition for pricing on the most common basic services (like those mentioned above). Most of us, most of the time, do not need most of what good docs and hospitals are set up for. Technology that could bring things like blood tests to small clinics, cheap and fast, would be fantastic, and seem likely (Flatbush says one is already on the way).

Had a wood sliver removed at a Minute Clinic last year, got a DPT booster while I was there (nurse and I joked darkly about the re-emergency of pertussis thanks to .... guess). Ten minutes, not much money. Had a physical at a very good local medical group. Blood work-up alone was nearly $1,000 (ridiculous). Aside from that, had to add to my stress by smiling and saying nothing while the young internist (probably first gig after 784 years of education) kept making idiotic comments about how "insurance will now pay for check-ups/preventive/blah blah".

Didn't tell him my already over-priced insurance had been rendered utterly unaffordable and was going away, that most insurance already covered all that stuff, and that he needed to dig back into his CME effort though fresh out of a fellowship, as his rule of thumb on frequency of check-ups for completely healthy males my age was, uh, not actually scientifically valid. Oh, and I doubt he knew about the studies showing marginal impact of most "preventive" care as well.

Posted by: non-purist at February 06, 2014 01:37 PM (afQnV)

293 The Ukraine audio leak is kinda huge.
Do we have any freaking security?
State dept does a shit job at doing it's job

?

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:37 PM (nqBYe)

294 Gee, I'm sure it's just a coincidence the my Obamacare health plan doesn't allow me to get my prescriptions filled at Rite Aid or Walgreens. In fact, the only national drug store chain that I can use is CVS. They say it right there in the summary of the plan so that there is no misunderstanding: No Walgreens or Rite Aid. Funny and wonderful how everything works out so well, right?

http://www.ibx4you.com/health_plans/bronze_plans.html

Posted by: jeannebodine at February 06, 2014 01:38 PM (2LJqa)

295 291 The Ukraine audio leak is kinda huge. Do we have any freaking security? State dept does a shit job at doing it's job. What are State diplomats doing on an open line? Top Notch people all around!

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 06, 2014 01:39 PM (0FSuD)

296 Do I think that Walgreens (for ex) "lack credibility" to sell me my prescription meds because they also sell tobacco products? No. It would never cross my mind.

Posted by: grandmalcaesar at February 06, 2014 01:40 PM (yrohn)

297 The Ukraine audio leak is kinda huge.

?

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:40 PM (nqBYe)

298 Eh, diabetes and heart disease and stroke kill more people than lung cancer and sugary, salty, greasy snack foods and drinks are huge contributors to that. They will argue moderation, but the majority of people with those issues are not moderate in their consumption of crap food. I don't give a rat's ass what they sell, they aren't forcing anyone to partake of anything, so I don't see why it matters, but more power to them. What I don't like is what seems to be the collusion with the Obama administration. Was there any bidding for the exclusive pharma contracts? Humana is in Wal-Mart, too.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 06, 2014 01:40 PM (4A8Dj)

299 New thread above.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2014 01:42 PM (TGgNi)

300 Here ya' go, willow. Victoria Nuland is doing a great job. http://tinyurl.com/mvcqk8l

Posted by: no good deed at February 06, 2014 01:43 PM (vBhbc)

301 which drugstore to shop at is almost always decided based on proximity. Are people saying that if you're in the Ocare xchanges you'll have to fill your prescriptions at CVS????

Posted by: grandmalcaesar at February 06, 2014 01:43 PM (yrohn)

302 You'd have a point IF CVS weren't the preferred pharmacy for hundreds of Obamacare plans. This cannot be a coincidence. No way. Hell if I can tell where the private insurance industry ends and the government begins these days, but that'd be a heck of a conspiracy. CVS does this to appease Obama, who pushes the insurance companies to push CVS as the primary drug company? If there was a backroom deal I suspect it's between CVS and the insurers directly. Keep in mind, the insurers benefit from less smoking too.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 06, 2014 01:43 PM (GaqMa)

303 Let them try to NOT sell abortion pills over the counter...we are closer to 1937 Germany than we should be.

Posted by: Mekan at February 06, 2014 01:44 PM (zG16+)

304 149 If the real owners of the company voted on this (you know, the
shareholders) do you really think they would stop selling cigarettes and
forfeit billions? I don't.

Or it could simply be the very plausible explanation that they gave for their decision.
Posted by: Hollowpoint

People invested in CVS stock because they want to make people healthy. It was not about getting a return on their investment. That was laways their first goal.

At the end of the day, CVS is a retail operation that happens to sell medicine along with candy bars, it's not some nonprofit charity that was founded in order to heal the masses.

They have the right to sell what they want, and I have the right to call bullshit on their moral preening.

Posted by: McAdams at February 06, 2014 01:45 PM (3QYTt)

305 Regarding dr's and smoke. Worked with a guy who was cutting down on his smoking back in the 70's. His DR kept trying to get him to quit. One day he went to the doctor and as the doctor bent over to pick up the pen he dropped, the doctors cigarettes fell out of his shirt pocket. That's a hippocrit.

Posted by: Cicero Skip at February 06, 2014 01:45 PM (56vb7)

306 ty, no good deed.

Posted by: willow at February 06, 2014 01:45 PM (nqBYe)

307 58 I don't care, but a $2,000,000,000.00 hit to the bottom line is a big deal for any company. And how many other convenience and impulse purchases will they forgo from the missing smoke buyers.

Posted by: rd at February 06, 2014 04:51 PM (D+lxs)

It's not as much of big deal as it sounds. Top line, not bottom line ::: $2 billion out of $123 billion ::: also, cigarette margins are razor thin, although people who come in for smokes usually buy something else

Posted by: ed gibbon at February 06, 2014 01:53 PM (4eNxd)

308

>> If you believed 30 million newly insured people were coming into the system wouldn't you trade that profit margin for $2700/store?

Sure I would.

Also, margins on smokes are pretty thin, which is why volume is essential and they don't have much there. The real $ in smokes is vendor rebates and accruals which are *all* about volume.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at February 06, 2014 01:55 PM (WvXvd)

309 Time to move on. i just killed this thread. new post up

Posted by: Cicero Skip at February 06, 2014 01:56 PM (56vb7)

310 Hollowpoint ... nice BS statistics ... Caremark pulls in alittle over 10 billion per month ... no 30 ... off by a factor of 3 ...

Posted by: JeffC at February 06, 2014 02:03 PM (TR6Cq)

311

"Well, Patrick McMahon doesn't say the decision itself is good (he's agnostic on that), but he applauds the idea that a business can still make its own decisions about what it will sell. He offers two cheers"

Except when it comes to selling wedding cakes to homos .

Posted by: ATTILA727 at February 06, 2014 02:06 PM (J+cfY)

312 Ok, no cigs. Switch to ammo! Bigger money and less lung damage(depending on aim)

Posted by: marine43 at February 06, 2014 03:53 PM (3lhUM)

313 @288 "it's sort of the 5 lb puppy in the room Posted by: Optimizer at February 06, 2014 05:31 PM (saDM3) I have no idea what that means, but I am hugely amused by it." Sounds like you got it just fine (I'd call it the "800 lb gorilla", but it's just not important or manacing, so that would be ridiculous). Glad you liked it! Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but after I bravely went out for dinner, I courageously took a nap! As to the alleged $2B (and who came up with that number anyway, and why should we believe them?), if they don't make that up from a better brand, in the long term, and if it's significant to their business, the board and stockholders ought to boot out the management over it. But CVS is not a tobacco retailer that has a side business selling prescription drugs and such, as far as I know, so I kind of doubt that's the situation. As to this somehow having a connection to Obamacare, I guess that's believable, but as theories go, it needs a little more evidence, or at least some development as to what the connection might be.

Posted by: Optimizer at February 06, 2014 05:06 PM (saDM3)

314 Ace, I think you're wrong...

In this day and age, a corporation doing what it pleases -especially given the left's penchant for dictating what a corporation my or may not do- is inherently a good thing, regardless of what that decision is, or what it results in.

Just like free speech, we are compelled to support it, even if we disagree about whatever motive we may perceive for said corporation's decision.

In for a penny, in for a pound. Unlike the left, however, we understand the value of both, and respect it.

Posted by: My Sharia Moor at February 06, 2014 05:06 PM (P9ya5)

315 So, you still smokin?

Posted by: butternut at February 06, 2014 06:33 PM (+8yte)

316 Hypnosis does work if you are willing

Posted by: butternut at February 06, 2014 06:39 PM (+8yte)

317 Drug stores selling drugs? Shocked. I noticed many years ago that almost every minimall has a huge sign reading "DRUGS". We love 'em.

Posted by: steverino at February 07, 2014 02:21 AM (z9AYG)

318 "It's a start," says Michelle Obama, "but CVS needs to rethink all the soda and chips it sells. A company responsible enough to stop selling cigarettes should be responsible enough to stop selling junk to our children."

A quote from the future.

Posted by: pearson at February 07, 2014 03:17 AM (4IbiE)

319 I think it's great whenever a business takes steps to implement its vision of social purpose... Except, of course, when said business is Hobby Lobby. Also: CVS, when are you going to stop selling wine and beer? and junk food like potato chips, and candies? these things all have demonstrable negative side affects to people's health. To be consistent, you need to eliminate those items, as well. Have you established a time table for the purge?

Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie © at February 07, 2014 04:53 AM (1hM1d)

320 Target hasn't sold them for years, don't think they advertised the decision, just stopped selling them.

Posted by: Andy at February 07, 2014 06:54 AM (JmqIf)

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