Data shows CVS spearheaded nationwide decline in tobacco sales

CVS Health Research Institute recently released a statement on its decision to stop selling tobacco products and the research behind that decision. 
According to the statement, the decision of the company to be the first retail pharmacy to stop selling tobacco products has had a large influence on the purchasing practices throughout the U.S. CVS believes that the reduction of sales shows that making access to tobacco products more restricted does actually improve public health as a whole. 
"This research proves that our decision had had a powerful public health impact by disrupting access to cigarettes and helping more of our customers on their path to better health," CVS Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Troyen Brennan said. 
The study by CVS Health Research Institute was published in the American Journal of Public Health. The research's findings have provided solid confirmation that the removal of cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products from stores actually has made positive changes on the buying habits of the public. 
The research states, "those who purchased cigarettes exclusively at our stores were 38 percent more likely to stop buying -- and hopefully using -- them altogether."