While applauding CVS Caremarks decision to cease sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products Quitgate urges company to resist selling e-Cigarettes. Online PR News – 28-August-2014 – As the countdown to CVSs decision to call it quits on cigarettes and tobacco-related products continues Quitgate a leading smoking cessation platform offering social support counseling nicotine replacement therapies and natural stop smoking aids challenges CVS/pharmacy to resist the pressure to begin selling Electronic Cigarettes also referred to as e-Cigarettes after the company made its announcement in February 2014 that it plans to stop selling tobacco products and cigarettes. Citing reasons that discontinuing the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products are for the good of its customers and that this positions it as a healthcare leader however it is not clear if E-cigarettes will replace cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7600 stores nationwide by October 1 2014. As a tobacco control campaigner I feel its my obligation to inform CVS Caremark and the public that e-Cigarettes are not exactly smoking cessation products as they may be perceived. They should not be considered a viable means of quitting smoking and may even glamorously lure teens into smoking and keep adults hooked on nicotine says Emmanuel Odiase Quitgate LLC Founder. From October 1 2014 CVS Caremark plans to stop the sales of tobacco products along with a planned launch of a large smoking cessation program. So far CVS does not presently carry electronic cigarettes however as they pull tobacco products from their shelves there are speculations about whether they will embrace e-cigarettes as alternatives. It is possible if the FDA indicates that e-cigarettes can be sold as smoking cessation devices CVS may carry them in its stores. Emmanuel says CVS Caremark needs to focus its efforts in offering cigarette smokers bonafide tools to help them end their addiction not replacing the #1 preventable cause of death with something that could be equally as dangerous. If ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is simply the right thing to do for the good of Americans and wants to help people on their path to better health they must be strong in their resolve to avoid carrying e-cigarettes after they stop selling tobacco and cigarettes says Emmanuel. Emmanuel goes on to say As one passionate about freeing people from the burden of tobacco I believe that when a retail giant and health care leader such as CVS Caremark takes a firm stance on cigarettes and tobacco-related/nicotine addictive products including e-cigarettes it can influence others in similar moves and we can achieve a tobacco-free society. Just as President Obama said about the issue CVS Caremark sets a powerful example and todays decision will help advance my administrations efforts to reduce tobacco-related deaths cancer and heart disease as well as bring down healthcare costs ultimately saving lives and protecting untold numbers of families from pain and heartbreak for years to come. CVS Caremark needs to know that the American public is watching and the world is watching. About Quitgate Quitgate is a leader in smoking cessation products and services including evidence-based counseling programs nicotine replacement therapies natural supplements and on-going support. It serves the overwhelming number of individuals looking to quit smoking for good. With a background in tobacco control education and advocacy Quitgates passion is to truly see smokers free of tobacco addiction. |